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Cellular IoT: The New Standard in Vehicle Protection

Vehicle theft in Europe is on the rise. In England and Wales, 129,159 motor vehicle thefts were recorded in 2023/2024 based on Statista.com. In France, vehicle thefts hit a record high in 2024 with 140,269 thefts, equating to one vehicle stolen every 4 minutes, according to the Ministry of the Interior. This persistent increase underscores a significant issue for motorists. Criminal networks specializing in car theft employ advanced electronic techniques such as mouse jacking, relay attacks, and OBD theft to unlock and start vehicles without breaking in, while swiftly disabling the on-board security systems. This makes vehicle protection nearly impossible. Moreover, electronic theft ensures that the vehicle remains undamaged and retains its full resale value. Rapid recovery of stolen vehicles is crucial, as the chances of recovery drop tenfold after 48 hours.

How Cellular IoT Can Reduce Vehicle Theft

1. Instant Location Updates: IoT devices offer real-time tracking, which helps in quickly pinpointing the vehicle’s location and enhance recovery rates.
2. Extensive Network Reach: Cellular IoT ensures devices remain connected in deep indoors and across vast areas, including international regions, aiding in cross-border recovery.
3. Advanced Security Measures: IoT devices come equipped with features like jamming resistance, making it harder for thieves to disable them.
4. Affordable Deployment: Leveraging existing cellular networks makes IoT solutions cost-effective, facilitating widespread adoption.
5. Insightful Data Collection: These devices gather valuable data that can be analyzed to identify theft trends and improve security strategies.

To combat this rising threat, Coyote Secure has emerged as a leading solution. Launched in 2018 by Coyote, the European leader of connected services in driver assistance, Coyote Secure has already equipped 500,000 vehicles in France, Belgium, Luxembourg and Spain and recovers 91% of stolen vehicles within 48 hours. Since 2021, international recoveries have quadrupled, with a 22% increase in 2024, indicating that criminal networks are becoming increasingly organized.

The Coyote Secure solution tracker named Coyote Nano 2.0, uses patent technology and is resistant to jamming and tampering. When installed, it is concealed in the vehicle by an approved professional. It combines multiple location and communication technologies to maximize the ability to locate assets and recover stolen goods by leveraging the latest advancements in cellular LPWA networks operating in the most challenging RF environment. Location technologies include GNSS and Wi-Fi sniffing. The combination of different communications technologies also allows for remote updates, maintaining high levels of quality and cybersecurity, while remaining energy-efficient enabling five years battery autonomy and capable of long-distance communication.

Robust connectivity and low power consumption – essential for long-term battery-powered operation – have been critical requirements for Coyote. The cellular IoT solution based on Sequans’ Monarch semiconductor platform has proven capable of meeting these stringent demands, thanks to Sequans’ extensive expertise in low-power technology for mission-critical IoT connectivity.

By integrating the latest cellular technological advancements, the collaboration between Sequans and Coyote ensures that vehicle owners have access to a reliable and efficient tracking solution available today. As vehicle theft methods become more sophisticated, cellular IoT-based solutions are essential for safeguarding vehicles and reducing the cost of claims for insurance companies.