California License Plates Go Digital

California License Plates Go Digital

Californians now have a more high-tech option for one of the most basic parts of their car: the license plate.  A company called Reviver Auto recently began manufacturing the plates, and California became one of the first state in the nation to allow their use. 

At a glance they may seem basic and very similar to your existing plate, but the digital versions are more akin to a tablet that's mounted to the back of your vehicle. Not only do they display the same information as your current plate, they can also pay tolls, send out emergency messages, and help you find your car if lost or stolen. 

At the time of writing, they cost roughly $700. We can probably expect the cost to drop as they gain popularity and the production costs are streamlined. They also require professional installation, as they require a hardwired power supply to feed the battery, cellular connection, and GPS. 

The display usually looks exactly like a normal license plate, complete with registration information. When you renew the registration, it automatically updates the plate electronically. There are also a variety of messages that can be displayed at the bottom of the unit chosen by the user from a database that's much larger than what can be picked at the DMV. 

There are some concerns that since the unit is connected to a cellular connection it can be hacked, but Reviver Auto states that it's using an encryption technique similar to those used by banks for transfers. They also crash from time to time, needing to be rebooted to regain functionality. 

Our partners at CARSTAR Gapsch Collision Center in St Louis, MO and myself will be watching developments closely, as it may soon be the new standard. When the bugs get ironed out, it could be a huge advantage to have a license plate that can alert other drivers on the road when it's stolen!

Written By: Todd Hendrickson
Source: ktla.com