What we have here is a bike lock that has compressed air and colored dye running throughout the lock. When a would-be thief cuts through the lock, said thief along with the bike and everything within a few feet is then sprayed with the dye along with SmartWater, which is an invisible ink.
But the lock itself doesn’t seem to be too bad given its theft deterrent feature. I don’t own a bike so I’m not up on all the latest bike locks, but the lock barrel and lever components are encased in hardened steel and Dupont Hytrel molding.
Ingenious. Someone license the SmartLock ASAP.
Mike Lambourn via Dvice
Excellent idea; however, (and maybe I’m wrong) but I get the feeling that the bike owner may end up in more trouble than the would-be thief. This screams of the “exploding dye pack” used
in so many moviesby banks to foil robberies, but that is a federal crime and an act allowable by the top level.I can’t rig a gun to my door handle so when a thief opens it he gets shot in the face (unfortunately). So what happens when the dumbass cutting the chain is kneeling down like he’s the owner opening the lock to conceal what he’s actually doing and when he cuts it this stuff in his eyes? Won’t owner will be liable for bodily injury?
Anyway, good idea, but may need bit of a legality check. Yes? No?
This is stupid a stupid idea. Similar to DrDrew’s thought of dye packs (rendering the stolen money useless) getting sprayed with some ink really does nothing to me when I steal your Bianchi. Sure I’d be covered in ink but I’d have your bike, I ride home, soak my inked clothes in cold water for a bit, then take a shower, now I’m not covered in ink and have a sweet free bike.
If it really is Smartwater then it’s not a dye… it’s a colourless liquid that contains forensic markers that are “almost impossible to remove”. My brother works on a country estate in the UK and they use it to protect farm equipment and even slate tiles (which are very prone to being stolen due to their cost). My only question is - why not just coat your bike in SmartWater anyhow… after all, once it’s stolen, it’s gotta be found somehow…
An even better idea - why doesn’t the lock just throw insults at the thief. The guy will have your bike but feel bad for have taken it.