One way to stop thieves

Toyota has come up with a plan to deal with an apparent rise in thieves stealing cars, using remote technology to access vehicles.

The firm has patented the design for a fragrance dispenser that, when the vehicle is broken into, can turn into an anti-theft device.

According to the patent drawings revealed, the feature operates as a conventional fragrance system under normal operation.

The system can identify when the vehicle owner is approaching the car by their smartphone and spritzes the interior with perfume before they enter and begin their journey.

However, if an “illegitimate engine start” is identified, the system turns gives would-be thieves a face-full of tear gas to deter them from taking the car.

It does this by triggering the immobiliser, which can be deactivated only by having the vehicle's key in close proximity.

If the key isn't with the occupant inside the car and no signal can be located, the dispenser releases the potent spray.

But the Daily Mail reports that though it might be a legitimate patent, there's no guarantee that this sort of system will go into production vehicles.

That's especially the case with security designs that can cause significant harm to a highspending Toyota customer if the feature malfunctions.

Tear gas is a chemical weapon that causes severe eye and respiratory pain, skin irritation, bleeding, and even blindness.

However, the Daily Mail says that with a rise in organised criminal gangs taking high-value vehicles from owners' driveways without them noticing, it has the potential to become an eye-watering feature for the future.