Check Out the James Bond-Style Gun That Only Works When Fired by Owner

It's the kind of technology you'd expect Q to present to 007 just before he rushes out the door to track down the latest villain.

But this new gun is pitched for the everyday users, not just international spies. The Armatix Smart System consists of a gun and a watch that have to be within Radio Frequency Identity (RFID) range of each other to work. Essentially, without the watch, the gun is no more dangerous than a paperweight.

The Armatix Smart System includes a watch and a gun, and the firearm will only work when it is within RFID range of the user's watch. (Credit: Armatix).

The new system was displayed by Armatix, a Munich based company, at the Smart Tech Challenges Foundation, which promises to award entrepreneurs $1 million to develop gun safety technology in weapons, according to CNN.

According to the Armatix Web site, as soon as the gun loses radio contact with the watch – e.g. if it is knocked out of the shooter’s hand or in case of loss, theft, etc. – it automatically deactivates itself, so the gun would be useless to a would-be attacker. Armatix has created it's own weapon, and has plans to develop the technology for new weapons with other manufacturers and offer it to gun owners with existing weapons:

"Armatix is currently involved in advanced licensing negotiations with several gun manufacturers. In addition, Armatix offers a tried and tested smart system in the form of a development of its own: the iP1 pistol (.22 LR caliber) and the iW1 active RFID watch. The prototype from Armatix is proof that guns with integrated electronic intelligence are already possible and feasible today. How the technology can be incorporated into existing handguns needs to be checked in individual cases."

The Armatrix complete set includes the "smart" RFID watch and pistol, as well as other locking devices the company offers for weapon security (Credit: Armatix).

The light on the back of the pistol shines green or red based on proximity to the linked watch. When the weapon is within range, the light turns green, indicating it is ready for use. (Armatix).

Belinda Padilla, CEO of Armatrix USA, showcased the new technology for the Smart Tech crowd in San Francisco. According to SFGate, a panel of experts will judge the entries and award money to entrepreneurs seeking to build or test prototypes and market more finished products, said Smart Tech Foundation Director Jim Pitkow.

“We believe that by incentivizing innovation we can create smarter consumer products and ultimately a higher standard for safety for all Americans,” Pitkow said. "Ultimately, the free markets will determine whether the technology solutions that are entering the market are viable or not ... we think that's worth the exploration," he said.

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(H/T: The Daily Mail)

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