A method at a vehicle computing device for identifying a driver, the method including receiving a first indicator at the vehicle computing device; obtaining, based on the first indicator, a presumed driver identity; receiving at least one second indicator at the vehicle computing device; and verifying the presumed driver identity using the at least one second indicator.

A system and method for performing an operation at a vehicle is disclosed. The system includes a first acoustic transceiver that transmits and receives inaudible acoustic signals and a second acoustic transceiver that transmits and receives inaudible acoustic signals. The second acoustic transceiver is stationary with respect to the vehicle. A processor receive an inaudible acoustic signal transmitted between the first acoustic transceiver and the second acoustic transceiver, determines a location of the first acoustic transceiver with respect to the vehicle from the received signal, and performs an operation at the vehicle based on the location of the first acoustic transceiver with respect to the vehicle.

A system and method for performing an operation at a vehicle is disclosed. The system includes a first acoustic transceiver that transmits and receives inaudible acoustic signals and a second acoustic transceiver that transmits and receives inaudible acoustic signals. The second acoustic transceiver is stationary with respect to the vehicle. A processor receive an inaudible acoustic signal transmitted between the first acoustic transceiver and the second acoustic transceiver, determines a location of the first acoustic transceiver with respect to the vehicle from the received signal, and performs an operation at the vehicle based on the location of the first acoustic transceiver with respect to the vehicle.

The invention relates to a device for monitoring a motor vehicle, in particular a motorcycle (2), configured to be connected to an interface (3) of the motor vehicle (2), the device comprising:—a processor (1a) associated with a memory (1b),—a geolocation module (1c),—a vibration detection module (1d) and/or a fall detection module (1f),—a mobile application module (1g) for exchanging information on the vehicle with a mobile application server (4),—a silent alert module (1i) via the mobile application server (4) according to vibration detection module data (1d) or fall detection module data (1f), characterized by:—a mobile internet network connection module (1i),—an audible alarm (5), and in that the mobile application module (1g) is configured to remotely control the audible alarm (5).

Methods and systems for assessing, detecting, and responding to malfunctions involving components of autonomous vehicles and/or smart homes are described herein. Malfunctions may be detected by receiving sensor data from a plurality of sensors. One of these sensors may be selected for assessment. An electronic device may obtain from the selected sensor a set of signals. When the set of signals includes signals that are outside of a determined range of signals associated with proper functioning for the selected sensor, it may be determined that the selected sensor is malfunctioning. In response, an action may be performed to resolve the malfunction and/or mitigate consequences of the malfunction.

Disclosed is an access device of a vehicle having an on-vehicle control device configured to transmit enquiry signals to a mobile identification transmitter to determine the state of motion thereof, and adapt the transmission of the enquiry signals for a response signal received from the mobile identification transmitter containing the state of motion of the mobile identification transmitter, or on the basis of the absence of the response signal. Energy is saved in the event of a response signal containing a communicated stationary state of the mobile identification transmitter or in the absence of a response signal by reducing the frequency of the transmission of the enquiry signals.

Disclosed is an access device of a vehicle having an on-vehicle control device configured to transmit enquiry signals to a mobile identification transmitter to determine the state of motion thereof, and adapt the transmission of the enquiry signals for a response signal received from the mobile identification transmitter containing the state of motion of the mobile identification transmitter, or on the basis of the absence of the response signal. Energy is saved in the event of a response signal containing a communicated stationary state of the mobile identification transmitter or in the absence of a response signal by reducing the frequency of the transmission of the enquiry signals.

For various political, commercial and humanitarian reasons there is a desire to detect intrusion of stowaways into lorries and other freight vehicles. Many traditional intrusion detectors operate on the bases of detecting an increase in carbon dioxide within a space as indicator of presence of a human. A problem arises when the freight vehicle is carrying perishable goods such as fruits and vegetables which give off CO.sub.2 as they perish which makes it difficult to reliably attribute the cause of an elevation in CO.sub.2 concentration. An embodiment of the invention overcomes this problem by detecting a sudden decrease in CO.sub.2 concentration within the freight vehicle from a concentration that is much elevated from a background atmospheric concentration of around 400 ppm. This sudden decrease can be attributed to opening of a door of a trailer allowing the escape of CO.sub.2 that has built up as the freight perishes.

For various political, commercial and humanitarian reasons there is a desire to detect intrusion of stowaways into lorries and other freight vehicles. Many traditional intrusion detectors operate on the bases of detecting an increase in carbon dioxide within a space as indicator of presence of a human. A problem arises when the freight vehicle is carrying perishable goods such as fruits and vegetables which give off CO.sub.2 as they perish which makes it difficult to reliably attribute the cause of an elevation in CO.sub.2 concentration. An embodiment of the invention overcomes this problem by detecting a sudden decrease in CO.sub.2 concentration within the freight vehicle from a concentration that is much elevated from a background atmospheric concentration of around 400 ppm. This sudden decrease can be attributed to opening of a door of a trailer allowing the escape of CO.sub.2 that has built up as the freight perishes.

Methods and systems for autonomous vehicle recharging or refueling are disclosed. Autonomous vehicles may be automatically refueled by routing the vehicles to available fueling stations when not in operation, according to methods described herein. A fuel level within a tank of an autonomous vehicle may be monitored until it reaches a refueling threshold, at which point an on-board computer may generate a predicted use profile for the vehicle. Based upon the predicted use profile, a time and location for the vehicle to refuel the vehicle may be determined. In some embodiments, the vehicle may be controlled to automatically travel to a fueling station, refill a fuel tank, and return to its starting location in order to refuel when not in use.