A position determination system a determines whether a mobile terminal is present outside a vehicle compartment based on a reception strength of a radio signal transmitted from the mobile terminal through a vehicle interior antenna and a reception strength of a radio signal transmitted from the mobile terminal through a vehicle exterior antenna, and the vehicle exterior antenna is configured to be disposed in a predetermined region in a vicinity of a window of a vehicle in an outer surface portion of a vehicle.

A position determination system a determines whether a mobile terminal is present outside a vehicle compartment based on a reception strength of a radio signal transmitted from the mobile terminal through a vehicle interior antenna and a reception strength of a radio signal transmitted from the mobile terminal through a vehicle exterior antenna, and the vehicle exterior antenna is configured to be disposed in a predetermined region in a vicinity of a window of a vehicle in an outer surface portion of a vehicle.

Provided in this disclosure is an antitheft system for an automotive catalytic converter including a wire loop for conducting a current to establish an electrical circuit. One or more hose clamps are provided for securing some or all of the wire loop alongside a vehicle exhaust system including the catalytic converter. A monitoring circuit is in electrical communication with the wire loop, for monitoring the electrical circuit established in the wire loop. A detector circuit is connected to the monitoring circuit, for detecting a discontinuity in the electrical circuit indicative of a disconnection of the wire loop. An alarm circuit is connected to the detector circuit, for activating an alarm upon detection of the discontinuity in the electrical circuit. An arming circuit includes a detection circuit for detecting insertion of a removable key, and another detection circuit for detecting insertion of the wire loop which establishes the electrical circuit.

Provided is a vehicle, including: a communicator configured to perform communication with a user terminal or a remote control device; a sensor configured to acquire surrounding information of the vehicle; and a controller including a processor configured to process the surrounding information. The controller is configured to identify a location of the remote control device based on the communication and transmit a warning message to the user terminal when an obstruction is identified between the identified location of the remote control device and a location of the vehicle, based on processing the surrounding information.

Programmable telematics systems, methods and apparatus for two-way transmission of data and information between fleet vehicles and a fleet management system. The systems and methods employ a programmable telematics communications unit (TCU) configured to connect to a communications port of a vehicle, enabling two-way transmission of data and information between a fleet management system and vehicles in the fleet. The TCU device includes cellular data connectivity enabling communication with the management system through existing cellular telephone networks. The programmable TCU may be toggled between multiple operating modes, wherein the TCU provides different functionality, such that a single vehicle may participate in multiple vehicle programs at different points in time, including separate vehicle rental and vehicle sharing programs.

Programmable telematics systems, methods and apparatus for two-way transmission of data and information between fleet vehicles and a fleet management system. The systems and methods employ a programmable telematics communications unit (TCU) configured to connect to a communications port of a vehicle, enabling two-way transmission of data and information between a fleet management system and vehicles in the fleet. The TCU device includes cellular data connectivity enabling communication with the management system through existing cellular telephone networks. The programmable TCU may be toggled between multiple operating modes, wherein the TCU provides different functionality, such that a single vehicle may participate in multiple vehicle programs at different points in time, including separate vehicle rental and vehicle sharing programs.

The disclosed embodiments generally provide visual and/or audio cues to a user to guide the user to a vehicle pickup-drop-off (PuDo) location, such as an autonomous vehicle (AV) PuDo. The user’s current location is determined based on information from the user’s mobile device. A path is determined from the user’s current location to the designated PuDo location, and instructions (e.g., turn-by-turn directions) to reach the designated PuDo are displayed on the user’s mobile device, for example, using an augmented reality (AR) interface on their mobile device that is updated in real-time. Disclosed embodiments also allow vehicles to authenticate the identity of a user before allowing entry of the user into the vehicle based on a sequence of hand gestures performed by the user that are detected by exterior sensors (e.g., camera, LiDAR) of the vehicle.

A vehicle includes a cabin and a vehicle body including a cargo area rearward of the cabin. A tailgate assembly is mounted to the vehicle body that closes the cargo area. The tailgate assembly includes a rear-mounted video camera. An electronic control unit receives image data from the rear-mounted video camera. A connector communicatively couples the electronic control unit and the rear-mounted video camera. The connector has a closed configuration with the tailgate assembly mounted to the vehicle body and an open configuration with the tailgate assembly removed from the vehicle body. The electronic control unit includes logic that, wherein executed by a processor, causes the electronic control unit to receive signals from an alarm circuit when the connector is in the closed configuration and detect when the signals from the alarm circuit have stopped when the connector is in the open configuration.

It is provided a roller shutter for securing a physical space within a vehicle. The roller shutter comprises: a protective barrier configured to be in a rolled up, open, state, and in a rolled down, protective state; a mesh of conductors being attached to the protective barrier; a processor; and a memory storing instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the roller shutter to: detect a physical break in the mesh of conductors; when a break in the mesh of conductors is connected, signal that a break-in is detected, determine a valid open request; open the roller shutter when the valid open request is determined; determine when a user has exited the vehicle; and close the roller shutter when the user exit has been determined.

Methods and systems for autonomous and semi-autonomous vehicle control, routing, and automatic feature adjustment are disclosed. Sensors associated with autonomous operation features may be utilized to search an area for missing persons, stolen vehicles, or similar persons or items of interest. Sensor data associated with the features may be automatically collected and analyzed to passively search for missing persons or vehicles without vehicle operator involvement. Search criteria may be determined by a remote server and communicated to a plurality of vehicles within a search area. In response to which, sensor data may be collected and analyzed by the vehicles. When sensor data generated by a vehicle matches the search criteria, the vehicle may communicate the information to the remote server.