Sussex Dragon’s Den contestant creates tech to stop motorbike thieves
Steve Ransom with his motorbike, patent and Stop My Engine (Image: Andrew Gardner/The Argus) A Dragon's Den contestant has created a new product which can cut off motorbike engines in moments - meaning would-be thieves cannot get away. Inventor Steve Ransom, from Uckfield, came up with the idea for Stop My Engine after witnessing a rise in motorbike thefts in Sussex.
Steve, a motorbike rider himself, knew of car anti-theft devices but was aware of the different problems delivery drivers were having in Brighton[1]. "Often, delivery drivers will not have time to lock up a bike while they go into a restaurant to collect an order, meaning opportunistic thieves can hop on their vehicle and drive it away with no consequences," said Steve.
The Argus: Stop My Engine is easily wired into a motorbike Stop My Engine is easily wired into a motorbike (Image: Andrew Gardner/The Argus)
With the help of Michael-John Roberts, from Brighton, the pair worked for three years to create their product. The duo have created a device which slowly and safely cuts off the engine of a motorbike when it is away from the owner's mobile phone, meaning a thief is not able to make off with the vehicle.
The Argus: Steve Ransom is an entrepreneur Steve Ransom is an entrepreneur (Image: Andrew Gardner/The Argus)
Michael-John told The Argus[2]: "If your vehicle is being stolen, it will run normally for seven seconds and will then enter a short period of repeated ignition interruption as Bluetooth connectivity is lost with your phone, bringing your vehicle to a safe and complete halt 20 seconds later. "With your vehicle immobile, the horn starts sounding, helping you to audibly locate your vehicle, and reconnect via Bluetooth." The product brings a vehicle from theft to safe stand-still in 27 seconds.
Steve said: "We have had a unique patent approved for our technology which stops off the engine in a safe and controlled manner. "You will be able to retrieve your stolen vehicle in moments. Once the engine stops it is likely that a thief will just abandon it - especially if it is making a loud sound with its horn.
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"It is safer for motorcyclists who sometimes have to confront thieves."
Stop My Engine has three modes:
anti-hijack mode (anti-theft)
over-ride mode (short-term loan of vehicle)
emergency over-ride mode (loss of phone or flat phone battery)
Stop My Engine currently retails at GBP180.