Stump the Chump!

Let's consider a slight modification to this thread game.

Not only should you take difficult-to-guess photos from your stock Prius, but let's add:

The option to take similar photos of modifications added to your stock Prius. The normal answer time limits and format applies.

So can YOU in one post both name the "Location" AND it's "purpose" for the following item?

(The item in question is black, surely you can see it.)

ZC1

Oh, Champ Bill was kind enough to hand the sceptre to me, after the 72hours had expired and he stumped everyone who posted.

 

It's not exactly the most perfect picture for a reason, since I'm pretty much giving it's location away.

ZC1

 

You mean at NOON today (72hours after my photo post above), I will have stumped the audience??

A hint?

Let me see.... I was considering adding one to the other side of the car, but in usage I've found only one was sufficient.

Hmmm...more hints?

It works as described. Ehh....water does not seem to affect it (so far) or car washes are okay too.

Last hint: I wonder when the battery will wear out?

ZC1

 

Okay, since my post lasted the 72hours without solution, I'll declare I'm a Chump Champ who has chumped no one and still gets a crown. LoL.

Anyways, HERE IS THE ANSWER!

The answer to the puzzler photo above (post #306) is:
It's a coin battery powered light sensor.
Oh..and it has a LOUD beeping speaker.
It is placed directly over the magnification circle embedded in the tail light lens for the backup light.

The reason for this object is:
Since the Prius is somewhat restrictive in it's panoramic view of the landscape as the car is driven in reverse, this handy little object alerts bystanders/pedestrians that the car is indeed in reverse gear.
Once the transmission (planetary gearset) is placed into "R", the backup light comes on which shines into a small little hole on the backside of the small black box placed on my tail light lens. The bright light enables a circuit which then emits a loud beeping alarm which sounds like a backing up forklift or a bulldozer.
No other illuminating tail light nor the lights from another car cause it to beep, only the reverse tail light.
There is a small square hole in the front to emit the sound.

After a month or so of using it, it has continued to survive car washes, the hot sun beating directly on it, false alarms, and anybody trying to remove it.

Question is: Does it really make people aware of the car?
Kids on bikes 3 houses or more turn to look, pedestrians out for a leisurely walk stop and mouth the words "What the heck?". In crowded parking lots I see peoples heads turn as they try to locate the sound.

Nevertheless, I'm sure I'll meet some people who don't seem to be bothered to locate the sound source and for those people I will eventually have rigged up an Electric Train twin air-horn to blast them to mithereens if they enter into a 180degree arc behind my vehicle while the tail light sensor is beeping.

Any questions?

Oh yes, the cost?
I think it was $3 US dollars, or was that $4?

ZC1

 

Well folks, due to all the news making Chumps out there, it's time to resurrect.....

STUMP THE CHUMP !​

(yay, applause...the crowd goes wild..!!)


Okay, boys and girls....Get all your tinfoil hats adjusted and name this item and how it's used.

Remember, no cheating and no looking in the owner's manual.

Sincerely,

ZC1

 

Same question for all you 2010 types.

What is this very odd and hardly understood object?

No cheating!

Sincerely,

ZC1