[RahulNagaraj]

Last year, Reviver, the company that makes digital license plates received approval to sell them across three states in the USA.

Now, American car giant, Ford is said to have struck a deal with the California-based firm, making Reviver's digital license plates an official Ford Accessory. The digital license plates will receive an official Ford part number & customers will be able to order one from any of Ford's 300 dealerships across California, Arizona & Michigan.



Although only 3 states allow the addition of digital license plates, reports add that these numbers will grow fast. Having said that, owners of cars with legally added digital plates are free to drive to other states where the tech hasn't been given the green light yet.

The plates themselves give new and old cars a more modern presentation. However, the application of digital license plates goes beyond cosmetics as they can be personalised to display custom messages, track vehicle location and offer app-assisted registration renewals & other real-time alerts.

The digital license plates come in two versions: Hardwired and DIY, with a 5-year battery lifespan. Prices for the digital plates start at $599, as per Reviver's website. There is also an additional cost of service - $8 per month for battery plates ($75/year) and $10 per month for the hardwired version ($95/year).

Neville Boston, the founder of Reviver, stated, "To be associated with a landmark brand in the automotive industry such as Ford is truly gratifying. We are very proud to have met the rigorous requirements for the company’s evaluation of potential suppliers and look forward to adding the innovations of digital license plate technology to their offerings."

Source: CarScoops

Link to Team-BHP news

[frewper]

Business 101.
How to make simple things complicated, in order to make more money. Bought to you by Ford, powered by Reviver.

[professortarzan]

This reminds me of those Walgreens outlets that replaced glass-door fridges with digital screens.

At least that makes tiny amount sense if you dwell deeper. But what is the whole point of this except shamelessly siphoning money off the customers. What happens if road debris chips off the display? What if someone vandalizes it? What if it gets drenched in water?

There should be a special place in hell for people like this.

[dragracer567]

This should come in the top 10 list of inventions that nobody asked for!

[omranga98]

Just sit back and imagine paying a monthly fee for a number plate. What a bizarre time to live in.

[man_and_machine]

This is such an environmentally conscious move. What block of paint does for 50 years, will now be battery driven, charged for 50 years, then there is really not need to do this. We will now see a change in movies where the gateway car will not get its nameplate changed in the hideout, but on the flick on a button on the connected car app. What a differentiated experience for everyone in the value chain.

[Majumdarda]

Hope this does not even trigger a thought for implementation over here. Someone will figure out a way to display God knows what.

[Sandeep M]

Just going to leave this GIF here since that's our reaction when we first read the title

[naikameya]

So if I make a mistake while backing up, or some biker brakes late while I am standstill, instead of fixing/ ignoring a small ding, I will have to figure out some legal procedure to get a new digital license plate.
With all the electronics we have seen a rise in carjackings. This will make it easier to change numbers also fly through speed cams.

If this comes to India, all I hear is ka-ching ka-ching on companies' and govt officials' registers.

[GTO]

Like any other electronic item, just wait till China's factories start mass-producing this. Prices will inevitably fall and it'll become cheap. The subscription idea is stupid.

Impractical for India due to high probability of damage. Gaps out here aren't like in the USA, and cars are frequently "touched" front & back. Plus, chipping is a big problem on our highways. Last weekend, I ended up with a windscreen crack on the car I was driving due to a flying pebble from the truck ahead.

[Raghuwire]

When everyone in the world just started talking about Sustainability, we will come up with connected number plates. Increase the emissions by 1000s of percent! Real time alerts? Who wants to see alerts on number plates? Tracking? Normal GPS can do the trick/ already cars come with connected cars. Personalized messages, this I like. . Would help in swearing at those honkers on Indian roads, in return i assume my lifespan to reduce drastically in some road rage.

[GeeTee TSI]

Many installers in our country don't even install simple metal registration plates properly; misaligned with the holes and tightened to infinity, leading to stress cracks/bends on something which never had an impact!

God help with this fancy accessory

[car-dent]

I am sure, Indians/Chinese will find a way to code them in such a way that the display switches off whenever desired, Or may be after the car reaches a certain speed. So another way to escape the omnipresent traffic and speed cameras..