The best things in life...

The best things in life are free! Sat-nav manufacturer TomTom has revolutionised the points of interest (POIs) available via its units by teaming up with online maps service Google Maps – and the new data won’t cost drivers a penny.

A development of the...

A development of the Stinger currently used by police and the barbed X-Net laid across military checkpoints, the super-strong lasso goes a step further. It has a belt-style loop made of bullet-proof Kevlar and studded with barbed spikes. They bite into the stolen car’s tyres, deflating them and pulling the loop around the axle. The lasso’s extra-tough synthetic rope unwinds from a pulley that can either be anchored to a concrete block or bolted on to a special HGV-rated tow truck. As the rope unwinds, a hydraulic valve slows it down and brings the car to a stop.