I.D. Systems Inc. announced Feb. 6 that it was awarded its second patent for a wireless vehicle rental system. The new patent, United States patent number 8,370,268, is for an automated, remotely controlled vehicle rental system.

Avis Budget Group uses I.D. Systems rental vehicle management technology on 30,000 vehicles in North America.

The patented system lets renters reserve a vehicle online or using a smartphone and confirm its availability in real time through a wireless device inside the vehicle. Renters can also unlock a vehicle with a remote authorization signal and return the vehicle without assistance from an associate.

I.D. Systems expects that the new patent will help it further penetrate the rental car market and serve as a barrier to competition.

The company received its first patent for an automated vehicle rental system in 1999 and currently has multiple related patent applications pending.

“We envision consumers taking more control of their own car rental experience, and rental companies enjoying significant cost savings and revenue enhancements through wireless automation of their operations,” said Jeffrey Jagid, I.D. Systems’ chairman and CEO. “This is starting to happen already, with virtual, remote rentals constituting the fastest-growing segment of the rental car industry.”

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