The present invention is a theft deterrent system for a catalytic converter. The present invention alerts anyone nearby an automotive vehicle when someone is trying to steal the catalytic converter. The underside of the automotive vehicle is monitored by the present invention and the present invention can act independently or be integrated into the existing alarm system. The present invention can be positioned at various points across the underside of the automotive vehicle in order to accommodate different types of automotive vehicles. Furthermore, the present invention may be integrated into an aftermarket automotive vehicle alarm system without attaching or physically connecting with the automotive vehicle catalytic converter. This allows the automotive vehicle catalytic converter to remain uninhibited by the present invention while still being monitored by the security system.

The present invention is a theft deterrent system for a catalytic converter. The present invention alerts anyone nearby an automotive vehicle when someone is trying to steal the catalytic converter. The underside of the automotive vehicle is monitored by the present invention and the present invention can act independently or be integrated into the existing alarm system. The present invention can be positioned at various points across the underside of the automotive vehicle in order to accommodate different types of automotive vehicles. Furthermore, the present invention may be integrated into an aftermarket automotive vehicle alarm system without attaching or physically connecting with the automotive vehicle catalytic converter. This allows the automotive vehicle catalytic converter to remain uninhibited by the present invention while still being monitored by the security system.

Methods and systems for communicating between autonomous vehicles are described herein. Such communication may be performed for signaling, collision avoidance, path coordination, and/or autonomous control. A computing device may receive data for the same road segment from autonomous vehicles, including (i) an indication of a location within the road segment, and (ii) an indication of a condition of the road segment. The computing device may generate, from the data for the same road segment, an overall indication of the condition of the road segment, which may include a recommendation to vehicles approaching the road segment. Additionally, the computing device may receive a request from a computing device within a vehicle approaching the road segment to display vehicle data. The overall indication for the road segment may then be displayed on a user interface of the computing device.

Methods and systems for assessing, detecting, and responding to malfunctions involving components of autonomous vehicles 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 robustness of autonomous systems, including the use of virtual assessment of software components within a simulated environment. To this end, a server may retrieve one or more routines associated with autonomous operation. The server may also generate a set of test data associated with test conditions. The server may also execute an emulator that virtually simulates autonomous environment. The test data may be presented to the routines executing in the emulator to generate output data. The server may then analyze the output data to determine a quality metric.

Methods and systems for assessing, detecting, and responding to malfunctions involving components of autonomous vehicles 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 robustness of autonomous systems, including the use of virtual assessment of software components within a simulated environment. To this end, a server may retrieve one or more routines associated with autonomous operation. The server may also generate a set of test data associated with test conditions. The server may also execute an emulator that virtually simulates autonomous environment. The test data may be presented to the routines executing in the emulator to generate output data. The server may then analyze the output data to determine a quality metric.

Methods and systems for autonomous and semi-autonomous vehicle control relating to malfunctions are disclosed. Malfunctioning sensors or software of autonomous vehicles may be identified from operating data of the vehicle, and a component maintenance requirement status associated with such malfunctioning component may be generated. Based upon such status, usage restrictions may be enacted to limit operation of the vehicle while the component is malfunctioning. This may include disabling or restricting use of certain autonomous or semi-autonomous features of the vehicle until the component is repaired or replaced. Repair may be accomplished by automatically scheduling repair of the vehicle or installing an updated or uncorrupted version of a software program, in various embodiments.

Methods and systems for autonomous and semi-autonomous vehicle routing are disclosed. Roadway suitability for autonomous operation is scored to facilitate use in route determination. Maps of roadways suitable for various levels of autonomous operation may be generated. Such map data may be used by autonomous vehicles or other computer devices in determining routes based upon criteria for vehicle trips. Such routes may be automatically updated based upon changes in road conditions, vehicle conditions, operator conditions, or environmental conditions. Emergency routing using such map data is described, such as automatic routing and travel when a passenger is experiencing a medical emergency.

Methods and systems for autonomous and semi-autonomous vehicle control relating to malfunctions are disclosed. Malfunctioning sensors or software of autonomous vehicles may be identified from operating data of the vehicle, and a component maintenance requirement status associated with such malfunctioning component may be generated. Based upon such status, usage restrictions may be enacted to limit operation of the vehicle while the component is malfunctioning. This may include disabling or restricting use of certain autonomous or semi-autonomous features of the vehicle until the component is repaired or replaced. Repair may be accomplished by automatically scheduling repair of the vehicle or installing an updated or uncorrupted version of a software program, in various embodiments.

A system for increasing the security of road users. The system includes motor vehicles, each having a security device that can be activated by an activation signal associated with a security assistance request. The system includes a mobile communication device for transmitting position-data and a selected security assistance request. The system includes a control device for receiving the security assistance request and the acquired current position-data and for transmitting activation signals associated with the security assistance request to an assisting motor vehicle. The control device is configured to specify the one assisting motor vehicle also depending on the acquired current position-data and the security assistance request.

A system for increasing the security of road users. The system includes motor vehicles, each having a security device that can be activated by an activation signal associated with a security assistance request. The system includes a mobile communication device for transmitting position-data and a selected security assistance request. The system includes a control device for receiving the security assistance request and the acquired current position-data and for transmitting activation signals associated with the security assistance request to an assisting motor vehicle. The control device is configured to specify the one assisting motor vehicle also depending on the acquired current position-data and the security assistance request.