Aspects described herein may allow a user to test drive a vehicle with limited human interaction. In one method, a server may receive a user request from a mobile device of a user to access a vehicle secured by a vehicle key. The server may determine that the vehicle key is stored within a storage compartment of a smart key storage device. The server may provide an unlock instruction to the smart key storage device. The unlock instruction may be provided in response to and/or as part of a request, from the mobile device, to unlock the storage compartment. The server may receive, from the smart key storage device, an indication that the vehicle key has been removed from the storage compartment based on a key sensor detecting removal of the vehicle key. This may prompt the server to update a user record to indicate removal of the vehicle key.

A device for secure tire and wheel protection including: a control module, the control module including: an interface for connecting the control module to a factory alarm of a vehicle; a tilt sensor; and a glass break sensor.

A vehicle, based on user preferences and while the vehicle is in motion: in response to identification of a first event (e.g., a third party resident being in a vehicle location and/or on the route of the vehicle) and based on the user preferences, determines that the user desires to perform a transaction with the third party, automatically sends a first communication to the third party for the user (the first communication being part of a secure session and enabling authentication of the user by the third party), at a second later time and while the vehicle is in motion, and in response to identification of a second event, automatically sends a different second communication to the third party. The second communication is part of the secure session and enables the third party to complete the transaction with the user.

A vehicle is provided that determines a need for communication with a third party vendor, retrieves the user rule from the memory (the user rule defining to which third party vendor the vehicle can send a first communication to address the need and defining a geographic location of the third party vendor relative to a current location of the vehicle, a monetary amount the vehicle can pay to a third party vendor for a product or service to address the need, and a time limit for the third party vendor to provide the product or service to address the need), based on the user rule, selects a third party vendor from among multiple possible third party vendors, and when determined by the user rule, automatically sends the first communication to the selected third party vendor to order the product or service and provides an authorization to the selected third party vendor to complete the order. The vehicle uses different communication protocols to provide the first communication and authorization to the selected third party vendor.

Current biometric access control systems rely on a biometric sensor at the access control point, a design which has shortcomings on throughput or biometric image quality, which is a particularly important limitation for vehicle traffic, particularly when vehicles do not stop. We disclose a Two-Phase Biometric Access Control System (TBACS) that includes biometric, multi-factor authentication in which the biometric sensor is not required to be at the access control point, the access authorization decision is made prior to arriving, and the access confirmation is verified at the access control point using a rapidly-read token that identifies the person seeking access.

A vehicle monitoring system is provided for obtaining identification information from a personal electronics device of a potential trespasser responsive to a potential theft, vandalism, or intrusion into a vehicle. The system includes a sensor system including at least one sensor configured to sense a change in an external environment or a status of the vehicle. A receiver device is provided, configured to receive wireless communications. A processor is provided, operatively connected to the sensor system and the receiver device. The processor is programmed to initiate executable operations such as: receiving a signal or information from the at least one sensor of the sensor system; and determining that the signal or information represents or contains information indicative of a theft, vandalism, or unauthorized intrusion into the vehicle. The executable instructions also include obtaining, using the receiving device, identification information from a personal electronic device in proximity of the vehicle.

A motorcycle (1) including: an electronic system of authorization control (100,200); wherein: a first electronic control unit (200) is adapted and configured to determine whether the motorcycle (1) is in an authorized or non-authorized usage state and is adapted to interrogate a portable transponder, which can have a master identification electronic code or a slave identification electronic code, in order to acquire said electronic code and to verify if said electronic code is correct; and wherein: if the first control unit (200) acquires the master identification electronic code, starting the traction engine is allowed independently from the second electronic control unit; if the first control unit (200) acquires the slave identification electronic code, it is determined that the motorcycle (1) is in the authorized usage state and starting the traction engine is allowed if it receives consent information from the second electronic control unit (100).

A method of operating an access system for a vehicle, the method comprising: 5 scanning for a first communication signal from a first communications device using a first communication channel; and initiating a vehicle access process in dependence on detecting the first communication signal from the first communications device; wherein the vehicle access process comprises: comparing a received signal strength indication, RSSI, of the received first communication signal to a predetermined 10 threshold signal strength value; sending a challenge signal for a second communications device using a second communication channel in the event that the RSSI of the received first communication signal exceeds the threshold signal strength value; and controlling the vehicle access system in dependence on a response signal received from the second communications device, the response signal having been 15 sent in response to the challenge signal.

The present disclose is directed to a method for dropping off a shipment in a motor vehicle. In one embodiment, the method comprises: transmission of a digital key to a control device of the motor vehicle, transmission of a piece of authentication information to an authentication element, capture of the piece of authentication information or of a piece of information derived from the piece of authentication information, actuation of a vehicle device to allow access to at least part of the motor vehicle interior by the control device when an authentication condition that evaluates both the piece of authentication information or the derived piece of information and the digital key is met, and actuation of the vehicle device and/or of a further vehicle device to close the motor vehicle following storage of the shipment in the motor vehicle or after a prescribed waiting time.

A device for operating an access and/or driving authorization system of a vehicle includes a mobile access and/or driving authorization unit, a control unit arranged in the vehicle, and at least one detection unit which can be coupled to at least one electronic communication unit. The at least one electronic communication unit is arranged integrated into a document. The at least one detection unit is arranged integrated in the mobile access and/or driving authorization unit and/or in the vehicle. A presence checking operation of the document can be carried out automatically by the at least one detection unit for a person who is in possession of the mobile access and/or driving authorization unit at a specific time. An output unit outputs a message to the person at the specific time as a function of a result of the presence checking operation.