An affixable device can include a locking mechanism, a force-limiting mechanism, and a sensing mechanism. The locking mechanism can include an engagement component configured to disable the locking mechanism. The force-limiting mechanism can be configured to limit a locking force of the locking mechanism. The sensing mechanism can be coupled to the engagement component, and can be configured to determine that the force-limiting mechanism has limited the locking force of the locking mechanism. In response to determining the force-limiting mechanism limiting the locking force, the sensing mechanism can cause the engagement component to disable the locking mechanism.

A sensing device can include an accelerometer, a transceiver, and a computing device in communication with the accelerometer and transceiver. The computing device can transmit a first set of signals at a first power level to a remote device. The computing device can determine, via the accelerometer, a movement of the sensing device. The computing device can increase a power level for transmission from the first power level to a second power level in response to the movement. The computing device can transmit future signals at the second power level to the remote device.

A vehicle theft-prevention system can include a plurality of sensors configured to sense measurements proximate to a vehicle and a body configured to secure to a window of the vehicle. The body can include a wireless transceiver and at least one computing device coupled to the plurality of sensors and the wireless transceiver. The at least one computing device can be configured to receive, via the wireless transceiver, an indication to enter an armed mode from an unarmed mode. The at least one computing device can be configured to, in response to the indication, transition to the armed mode, wherein transitioning to the armed mode comprises setting a configuration of at least one property of a subset of the plurality of sensors.

Methods and systems for assessing, detecting, and responding to malfunctions involving components of autonomous vehicle and/or smart homes are described herein. Autonomous operation features and related components can be assessed using direct or indirect data regarding operation. Such assessment may be performed to determine the condition of components for salvage following a collision or other loss-event. To this end, the information regarding a plurality of components may be received. A component of the plurality of components may be identified for assessment. Assessment may including causing test signals to be sent to the identified component. In response to the test signal, one or more responses may be received. The received response may be compared to an expected response to determine whether the identified component is salvageable.

Disclosed herein is a vehicle theft prevention device. The device can include a data store including event configuration data. The device can include one or more sensors that can sense various types of measurements proximate to a vehicle. The device can include a computing device in communication with the sensors. The computing device can read measurements from the sensors and determine that a particular event has occurred. The computing device can analyze the measurements to determine the particular event occurred based on the event configuration data. When the particular event occurs, the computing device can perform one or more remedial actions.

A sensing device can include at least one sensor, positioning circuitry, a transceiver, and a computing device in communication with the at least one sensor, the positioning circuitry, and the transceiver. The computing device can determine a location of a vehicle via the positioning circuitry. The computing device can determine that a point of interest (POI) associated with a predefined category of POIs corresponds to the location. The computing device, via the transceiver, can determine that a person is moving away from the vehicle based on a measurement associated with a remote device. The computing device can enter into an armed mode in response to the determinations. The computing device can detect an intrusion into a vehicle while in the armed mode based at least in part on measurements from the at least one sensor. The computing device can generate an alarm in response to the intrusion.

Disclosed herein is a vehicle theft prevention device. The device can include a data store including event configuration data. The device can include one or more sensors that can sense various types of measurements proximate to a vehicle. The device can include a computing device in communication with the sensors. The computing device can read measurements from the sensors and determine that a particular event has occurred. The computing device can analyze the measurements to determine the particular event occurred based on the event configuration data. When the particular event occurs, the computing device can perform one or more remedial actions.

Aspects of the disclosure relate to enabling roadside assistance to a vehicle that requires assistance having an autonomous driving mode. For instance, a technician may be assigned to the vehicle that requires assistance. A signal corresponding to user input at a remote computing device requesting a change to a state of the vehicle may be received. The signal may be based on details of the assigned technician. Based on the validation, an instruction may be sent to the vehicle to change the state of the vehicle.

A self-declaring electronic license plate (e-plate) system for a vehicle is disclosed. This self-declaring e-plate system includes: an input device; a radio frequency identification (RFID) reader coupled to the input device; and an RFID-enabled license plate. In some embodiments, the input device is configured to receive vehicle occupancy information and triggers the RFID reader to write the received vehicle occupancy information to the RFID-enabled license plate in response to receiving the vehicle occupancy information. The RFID reader is configured to write at least a portion of the received vehicle occupancy information to the RFID-enabled license plate. The RFID-enabled license plate is configured to provide at least a portion of the received vehicle occupancy information to an electronic toll collection (ETC) reader. In some embodiments, the received vehicle occupancy information includes a current number of occupants self-declared by a user, such as a driver or a passenger inside the vehicle.

A vehicle control system (VCS) in a passenger compartment interfaces with underhood components using a Bluetooth® link. The underhood components include a siren assembly with a sound generator and backup battery. The battery enables the siren assembly to function after the vehicle's battery is disabled. The siren assembly includes a Bluetooth® transceiver for establishing the link with the VCS. The siren assembly monitors the hood of the vehicle through a hood sensor, to detect unauthorized opening. In response to such opening, the siren assembly transmits an alarm to the VCS, which transmits an alarm to a user's mobile device and/or a security service. The sound generator may also be activated, by itself or under control of the VCS. The siren assembly connects to the engine computer/ignition module, to allow the VCS to monitor engine speed, and facilitate proper start of the engine when the VCS receives a remote start command.