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Self-Driving Cars: Are They Less Likely to Be Stolen?

April 03, 2025Technology4051
Self-Driving Cars: Are They Less Likely to Be Stolen? It is quite rare

Self-Driving Cars: Are They Less Likely to Be Stolen?

It is quite rare, but not unheard of, for a car with a driver to be stolen. Surprisingly, car thieves almost exclusively opt to steal vehicles without drivers, making driverless cars not less likely to be stolen as often believed. In fact, the opposite may be true for current models of autonomous vehicles.

Current Self-Driving Capabilities and Their Impact on Stolen Cars

Nowadays, technologies such as GPS and modern safety systems are incorporated into vehicles, but these features do not inherently make a car less vulnerable to theft. In fact, the specific measures designed for traditional cars can be enhanced for self-driving models. For instance, current Teslas incorporate numerous security features that can be quite formidable against theft. These vehicles are equipped with cameras both outside and inside the car, providing a clear view of any potential intruders. Additionally, their 'keys'—be they cards or phone apps—are secured with 256-bit Elliptic-Curve Cryptography ( ECC ), a robust security standard.

Integration of Advanced Security Features in Self-Driving Vehicles

The security of these autonomous vehicles doesn’t end there. owners can track their car’s location. Moreover, it is possible to remotely activate the horn, disable the alarm, and even control the windows and doors through the vehicle’s system. If, for instance, a Tesla were stolen, with proper procedures in place, the owner could remotely disable most functions, rendering the stolen vehicle ineffective and difficult to control.

The Future of Self-Driving Cars and Enhanced Safety Features

As we progress towards truly self-driving cars—where the 'driver' plays no practical role—these future models may come equipped with an even more advanced suite of security measures. One key feature would be 360-degree cameras, GPS, and a continuous data connection. These technologies would stream the vehicle’s location and even allow for a live video feed upload to a central server. This allows the owner or driverless service provider to monitor the vehicle's condition in real-time, providing a comprehensive security layer. Even in the unlikely event of a connection disruption, the server would retain the last known location of the vehicle, providing a valuable starting point for a search.

Conclusion

Theft prevention in self-driving cars is multifaceted, with systems designed to dissuade thieves and offer rapid response in case of theft. By incorporating advanced technologies and robust security measures, autonomous vehicles may indeed become less likely to be stolen compared to traditional cars, especially those lacking these sophisticated security features.