Vehicle theft is a growing challenge worldwide. As per the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB), over 1 million vehicles were stolen in 2023 alone. That’s where a vehicle recovery system comes into the picture.
Our mobile app developers built a vehicle recovery app for one of our law enforcement clients in the United States. Powered by modern APIs, like the Smartcar API*, our vehicle tracking mobile app helps improve car recovery rates and optimally utilize government funds.
In this blog, we’ll take you through its key features, development process, and practical benefits. So, without further ado, let’s start.
Key Features of Vehicle Recovery System
Let’s take a look at the key features of the stolen vehicle tracking mobile app.
Expedited Vehicle Recovery
Track stolen vehicles using GPS technology for real-time location updates.
Proximity Alert System
Receive “Stolen Vehicles Nearby” alerts when vehicles in your vicinity match stolen records.
Crime Linking Technology
Analyze detailed location data to identify similar patterns and link stolen vehicles to additional regional crimes.
Operational Efficiency Platform
Leverage advanced analytics to drive vehicle recovery strategies, optimize resource allocation, and streamline communication between automotive brands and law enforcement bodies.
Data Privacy and Consent
All vehicle tracking activities are conducted with explicit consent from theft victims.
Building a Vehicle Recovery System with Smartcar API Integration: Our Case Study
At The Brihaspati Infotech, we built a high-performing and scalable vehicle recovery mobile app for law enforcement agencies. Let’s walk you through the main development steps:
1. Define Project Requirements
We collaborated with our client to understand and ascertain their business goals, including
- Core Features: Real-time GPS tracking, proximity notifications, and crime-linking analytics.
- Target Platforms: iOS.
- User Experience: Designing an intuitive interface for end-users and administrators.
2. System Design and Architecture
We built a robust system architecture to ensure the vehicle recovery app runs smoothly, and securely. Key considerations include:
- Scalability: Designed the app to monitor and track over 177 million vehicles seamlessly with a single integration.
- Secure Data Exchange: Integrated encryption protocols to build secure communication between the app and connected vehicles.
- API Integration: Strategically mapped how Smartcar API endpoints interact with the app’s back end for real-time data retrieval and processing.
- User Interface: Planned a clean, intuitive layout to notice vehicle alerts, track locations, and take action quickly.
3. Smartcar API Integration
The Smartcar API allows direct access to vehicle data, including current location, for recovery. Here’s how we integrated the vehicle API:
Step 1: API Authentication Setup
Implemented OAuth 2.0 to build a secure connection between the app and the Smartcar API. This ensures that verified users can access vehicle data.
Step 2: Fetch Real-Time Vehicle Data
We integrated Smartcar API endpoints to retrieve stolen vehicles’ real-time location (latitude and longitude) data.
Step 3: Core Feature Development
Using the API for cars, we integrated Google Maps SDK to check live GPS updates and display vehicle movement on interactive maps.
4. Front-End Development: UI/UX Design
We designed a clean, intuitive user interface for iOS using SwiftUI.
- Quick Navigation: Ensured all core features are accessible with a single tap.
- Responsive Design: Optimized the app to provide a consistent and smooth experience across all Apple devices, including iPhones and iPads.
5. Back-End Development: Robust & Scalable Office
We built a seamless and secure connection between the app, the Cars API, and the database.
- Back-End Development: Created a server-side logic to handle API requests and share real-time location updates.
- Features include:
- Secure login for admins/users.
- Centralized dashboard for managing connected vehicles.
- Real-time notifications and alerts via push notifications or SMS.
6. Vehicle Recovery App Testing
We rigorously tested the vehicle monitoring system for various factors, including the functions and user experience.
- Unit Testing: Validated API endpoints and app modules to ensure accurate data flow.
- UI/UX Testing: Ensured a smooth user experience across multiple devices.
- Security Testing: Tested data encryption, API security, and safeguards against vulnerabilities.
7. App Deployment and Launch
We deployed the vehicle tracking mobile app to the Apple App Store (iOS) and set up live environments.
- Monitor performance using tools like Google Analytics for performance optimization.
- Working on building a cross-platform mobile app.
- Creating new features to meet evolving market needs.
The app is live, secure, and optimized for continuous growth. Would you like to explore vehicle monitoring system like this?
Benefits of Vehicle Recovery System
Faster Vehicle Recovery: Real-time GPS tracking ensures stolen vehicles are quickly located and recovered.
Improved Operational Efficiency: Optimize resource allocation and streamline recovery efforts with advanced analytics.
Enhanced Crime-Solving Rate: Crime-linking technology uncovers similar patterns and identifies criminal networks.
Ethical and Secure Tracking: Vehicle tracking is conducted with the victim’s consent, ensuring privacy and compliance.
Increased Recovery Success: Proximity alerts allow faster interception, improving the chances of successful recovery.
Use Cases of Vehicle Recovery Mobile App
Law Enforcement Agencies
Expedite stolen vehicle tracking for theft investigations.
Logistics & Fleet Management
Monitor and safeguard large fleets of trucks and other vehicles.
Rental Car Companies
Track vehicle usage and prevent losses caused by theft.
Private Security Firms
Secure your client vehicles from unauthorized access.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
A stolen vehicle recovery system uses real-time GPS tracking and geofencing to locate and recover vehicles. It helps vehicle owners and law enforcement personnel find and recover stolen cars.
Yes, the system supports fleet-level management through a centralized dashboard. This capability ensures that law enforcement agencies, logistics companies, or fleet managers can monitor a large number of vehicles.
A fully functional vehicle tracking mobile app cost starts from $9,000. However, it depends on factors such as features, platform selection, API integration, and user interface design.
Contact us and get a custom quote.
Typically, it takes 3–6 months to build a vehicle recovery app. However, the timeline can vary depending on multiple factors, including project scope and custom features.
Contact us and get an estimated project timeline.
*Disclaimer
We would like to clarify that we have no affiliation, association, or endorsement with Smartcar API or its affiliated companies. Any references made to Smartcar API, its products, services, or trademarks are solely for informational purposes and do not imply any endorsement or partnership.
Looking for a Stolen Vehicle Recovery Solution?
A powerful vehicle recovery system can transform how law enforcement agencies contain growing car thefts. From real-time vehicle tracking to proximity alerts, our vehicle tracking mobile app ensures your fleet remains protected from thefts or unauthorized access.
Looking for a custom vehicle recovery solution for your business? Hire iOS developers and get a powerful mobile app solution to secure your fleet of vehicles. From initial planning to implementation and performance optimization, you can count on us for end-to-end vehicle tracking app development solutions.
Schedule a consultation and get started.
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