Leonardo Adds SignalTrace to License Plate Camera Systems
Leonardo plans to add ELSAG SignalTrace to its license plate camera systems, extending what an ALPR unit can collect beyond plates alone. The license plate camera system would also sweep up electronic device identifiers from phones, wearables, and vehicle hardware tied to a car.
ELSAG SignalTrace and EOC
The product sheet says SignalTrace bridges license plate recognition data with sensor-captured device identifiers from mobile phones, Bluetooth wearables, and vehicle systems. That means a single camera network could build a record that links a plate, a device, and a location stamp in the same investigative file.
Leonardo says SignalTrace integrates with the ELSAG Enterprise Operations Center, its standard data management and analysis software. Stored device and correlation data can then be queried later, which gives investigators a way to revisit relationships that were already logged.
Phones, wearables, and vehicle systems
The sheet says the system can pull in RFID tags in key cards and pet microchips. It also says Bluetooth devices such as wireless headphones, fitness trackers, cell phones, laptops, and tablets can be included.
It goes further than consumer gadgets. Tire pressure sensors, infotainment systems, and vehicle hotspots could be monitored, logged, and tied to a specific vehicle with a specific registration.
Tracking beyond the plate
When multiple devices consistently move together with a vehicle, SignalTrace algorithms link them to that vehicle's license plate and time-stamped location data. Leonardo says that gives investigators another layer of actionable intelligence even if a suspect changes or removes a plate.
That is a sharp break from older ALPR systems, which have historically been limited to tracking vehicles and have not been able to identify occupants. Leonardo already develops and sells automatic license plate readers, and the company also sells ALPR cameras and communications equipment to law enforcement, border security, and other government agencies.
Leonardo's U.S. arm has contracts with U.S. Special Operations Command and the General Services Administration. Leonardo US Cyber and Security Solutions is one branch of Leonardo S.p.A., which is headquartered in Rome, Italy.
The remaining question is how broadly SignalTrace will be deployed inside Leonardo's camera line and which government customers will get it first.
