Can an RFID-Based Security System Deter Automobile Theft?

In 2008, we wrote about a car dealership in Toronto, Canadan, that employed a security system designed to prevent the theft of its luxury, high-priced cars, by alerting office management if a key was not been returned following its removal from a secure case at the dealership (see RFID Halts Theft at Toronto Car Dealership). The solution, provided by AVS Key and Inventory Solutions Inc., utilized Impinj RFID interrogators, antennas and tags, and was built on the Microsoft BizTalk platform. For security purposes, the car dealership asked us not to publish its name.

There is also a company called MyDealerLot that offers a solution for alerting workers when a returning customer arrives on the lot, so that he or she can then be promptly served. When a loaner car is returned, an alert is displayed on the receptionist's screen, indicating that a customer has brought back a vehicle and will be picking up his or her own car and paying for service. This improves efficiency for both employees and customers. The receptionist can then prepare the vehicle owner's paperwork before that person enters the office, so that he or she can quickly pay. This feature has made the payment process more efficient, with fewer customer queues taking place throughout the day (see 10 Fields Automotive Dealerships to Adopt RFID).