New York City's taxis will now have the ability to map out cellphone dead zones. Ericsson has already obtained the approval from the New York's taxi commission to put mobile sensors in the trunks of at least 50 cabs for this project.

The sensors will be about the size of a computer modem, and will feed information on signal strength and clarity automatically to the engineers. Why did they choose the taxis? Well, for one, they are the most transient among all modes of transportation, especially in the hustle and bustle city of New York. They can access even the remotest corner, and as such, prove to be a rather cheap way of "covering vast amounts of territory with limited effort."

According to Niklas Kylvag, manager of fleet services for Ericsson, taxis are their favorite vehicle because of the randomness of circulation. He adds, "We have used trains, truck, buses, delivery vehicles, limousines, pretty much anything that is moving and has electricity in it. I have myself done testing in the Swiss Alps with this on my back at a ski resort."

Already, there is already one fleet who has signed to participate, while others have expressed interest. Cab companies that will participate will be paid. The research program is said to be conducted for an unnamed wireless provider.