the company announced this week. The technology enables travelers to
rent and return vehicles from unstaffed locations using smartphones and "fully integrates with Avis Budget's existing rental, reservations and fleet management systems," according to the company. The initial deployment of the technology represents a $14 million investment. Avis Budget also took a 9 percent stake, representing $4.6 million, in I.D. Systems, its exclusive provider of the vehicle management systems.