Design and Implementation of an IoT-Enabled Smart Vehicle Theft Detection and Tracking System

Vehicle theft continues to be a major global concern, demanding advanced and intelligent security systems capable of real-time monitoring and immediate threat response.This paper presents the design and implementation of a smart Vehicle Theft Detection System (VTDS) that integrates Arduino UNO, GPS (NEO-6M), and GSM (SIM800L) modules with multiple sensors to detect, track, and respond to unauthorized vehicle activities.The system utilizes a vibration sensor, ignition status monitor, and accelerometer (MPU6050) to identify intrusion attempts, ignition tampering, or abnormal vehicle motion.Upon detection of a threat, the system instantly sends an SMS alert containing GPS coordinates and a Google Maps link to the registered user, enabling accurate real-time tracking.Additionally, the vehicle engine can be remotely disabled via SMS, while a buzzer alarm provides immediate local notification.The system was successfully tested under various simulated theft conditions, showing high accuracy, minimal false triggers, and reliable communication with an average alert latency below four seconds.This work demonstrates an affordable, scalable, and energy-efficient IoT-based vehicle security solution that enhances safety, reduces theft risk, and enables rapid recovery in case of unauthorized access.