Honda is stepping up the fight against car theft, a problem that continues to rise and challenge the automotive industry. The Japanese automaker has filed an innovative patent for a tracking system that could make stealing cars much harder, using a clever mix of radio signals and advanced mapping technology.
At the core of the design is a small transmitter installed in the vehicle that constantly emits two types of radio signals: one short-range and one long-range. If a vehicle is stolen, multiple nearby receivers can pick up its transmitted ID. The real breakthrough lies in the receivers’ ability to send not just the ID, but also their own location and the strength of the signal.
With this data, Honda’s servers can calculate the car’s exact position, mapping signal variations across roads. Unlike traditional GPS systems, which can be jammed or spoofed, this technology provides far greater accuracy, even in dense urban areas. The dual-layer setup makes it far harder for thieves to bypass. Disabling a GPS tracker or blocking one radio signal wouldn’t be enough, they’d need to disrupt both, a far more complicated and costly task. Honda’s patent suggests the system could pinpoint stolen cars with near-millimeter precision, drastically improving recovery times.
Car theft is far from a relic of the past. In 2022, the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) reported over one million stolen vehicles in the US, the highest number in 15 years. While hot-wiring has all but disappeared thanks to electronic immobilizers, thieves have adapted, using relay attacks on keyless systems or hacking onboard computers with cheap devices bought online.
For drivers, the impact goes beyond the financial loss. Stolen cars often mean lost personal belongings, higher insurance premiums, and emotional stress. Automakers also face reputational damage whenever their models are seen as easy targets. This is why Honda and others are investing heavily in next-gen anti-theft systems.
If implemented, Honda’s technology could be integrated into future models or offered as an add-on, with potential uses extending beyond theft prevention. Ultra-precise tracking could help drivers locate cars in crowded parking lots, support advanced driver assistance systems, or optimize fleet management. Still, its primary mission remains clear: keeping cars out of thieves’ hands.
