Radar-detector companies reacted to new police technology by tweaking their products to maintain or better their line of defense. “And so it was kind of a cat and mouse,” Valentine says.

Using motion detectors and an Arduino you can trigger lights, fans, or even an pneumatically controlled cleaver-wielding clown to help add your house to the “if you dare” list.

Cobra’s iRadar S-Series radar detector hides under the hood and communicates with your phone. I’m not the only one who thinks it’s cool—it’s one of this year’s CES Innovations Honorees.

I’m still not a radar detector convert and won’t be buying one for personal use, but the 480i would be on my list if I was. Editorial Standards Reprints & Permissions.