Car theft has always been a cat-and-mouse game between criminals and automakers. Just as thieves get better at stealing, manufacturers respond with new layers of protection. Honda is the latest to take a shot at this issue with a newly filed patent that could make life much more difficult for would-be car thieves. The system centers around a clever new way of tracking stolen vehicles using overlapping radio signals and advanced location mapping.
How Honda’s New Tracking Patent Works
According to the patent, Honda’s system uses a small transmitter mounted on the vehicle that continuously sends out two different types of radio signals. These signals differ in communication range—one short, one long. When a vehicle is stolen, multiple receivers in the surrounding area can pick up the ID being broadcast.
The real magic happens in Honda’s server system. The reception devices don’t just forward the ID—they also transmit their own location and the strength of the signal they detected. Using this data, Honda’s server estimates the exact position of the stolen car by plotting the varying signal strengths on a road map. Because the system uses both short- and long-range radio waves, the positioning becomes more precise than traditional GPS-based methods, which can be jammed or spoofed.
This dual-layer design means thieves can’t simply disable a GPS tracker or block one radio signal. To stay hidden, they would need to jam both, which is far more difficult. In practice, Honda’s patent suggests that this technology could allow stolen cars to be tracked with pinpoint accuracy, even in crowded urban areas where GPS sometimes struggles.
Why Car Theft Is Still A Big Problem
Car theft may feel like a 1990s problem, but statistics show it’s far from solved. In fact, the U.S. has seen a sharp uptick in vehicle theft in recent years. According to the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB), over one million vehicles were reported stolen in 2022—the highest number in nearly 15 years. Cities like Denver, Memphis, and Albuquerque have emerged as hot spots, with vehicles disappearing at alarming rates.
The methods have also evolved. Old-school hot-wiring has mostly disappeared thanks to electronic immobilizers, but thieves have kept pace. Keyless entry systems, once a cutting-edge convenience, are now a target. Criminals use “relay attacks” to amplify the signal of a key fob inside a house, tricking the car into thinking the key is nearby. Others exploit software vulnerabilities, using cheap devices bought online to reprogram keys or bypass onboard computers.
The financial and emotional toll of car theft is enormous. Beyond the value of the car, victims often lose personal items inside the vehicle and face higher insurance premiums afterward. For automakers, every stolen car is a ding against their reputation for security. That’s why companies like Honda continue to invest in fresh anti-theft technologies.
What Other Automakers Are Doing
Honda isn’t the only one pushing the envelope when it comes to theft prevention. Nearly every major automaker is experimenting with different solutions, ranging from advanced electronics to old-fashioned deterrents.
Hyundai And Kia
After being hit with waves of thefts due to models lacking immobilizers, both companies rolled out software updates that extend the car’s alarm length and require a physical key in the ignition. They also distributed free steering wheel locks in some cities.
Tesla
The electric car giant has leaned on software-heavy solutions. Features like “Sentry Mode” turn the car’s cameras into a 360-degree surveillance system that records when someone approaches the vehicle. Tesla also allows owners to track their cars in real-time through the smartphone app, making recovery easier.
BMW And Mercedes-Benz
Luxury automakers have been early adopters of encrypted key fobs, rolling codes, and motion-sensor deactivation to combat relay attacks. Some models now require a deliberate “wake up” motion from the fob—like tapping or shaking—to activate, making it harder for thieves to spoof signals.
Ford And GM
Both have integrated OnStar- and Sync-based systems for stolen-vehicle assistance. These systems can locate stolen cars and, in some cases, even disable the engine remotely once law enforcement is in pursuit.
Despite these efforts, thieves often find ways around new tech. That’s why Honda’s multi-layered approach—blending overlapping radio signals, third-party receivers, and mapping software—could prove more resilient against the arms race of vehicle theft.
What This Means For Drivers
For Honda owners, this patent is promising. While not yet a production-ready feature, it signals where the company is heading in terms of vehicle security. If implemented, it could be baked into future Honda models or offered as an add-on for existing ones, much like current telematics systems.
The implications go beyond just tracking stolen cars. A highly accurate location system could also serve everyday functions, from locating a car in a crowded parking garage to powering next-gen driver assistance features. But its primary role is clear: keeping vehicles out of thieves’ hands.
In the bigger picture, Honda’s move underscores how critical anti-theft measures have become in the modern car market. With criminals increasingly armed with hacking tools and wireless exploits, automakers can’t rely on old defenses. They need layered, redundant, and adaptive systems that make theft not just difficult but impractical.
TopSpeed’s Take
Car theft isn’t going away anytime soon, but Honda’s latest patent represents a clever step forward. By harnessing dual radio waves and leveraging a network of receivers, the company has designed a system that’s harder to jam, spoof, or bypass.
Other automakers will continue to innovate, but if Honda brings this technology to market, it could become one of the most effective theft deterrents available. For drivers, that means fewer sleepless nights worrying about whether their car will still be in the driveway come morning.