Introduced here are computer-implemented techniques for facilitating communication between a central processing system and one or more computing devices. The central processing system can intelligently communicate with at least some of the computing device(s). Moreover, the central processing system can simultaneously or sequentially utilize sensor data generated by multiple computing devices that are known to be associated with one another. For example, if multiple computing devices are known to be in the same general geographical location, then the central processing system may only require that one computing device upload geographical metadata for analysis. If the computing device experiences any issues that prevent the geographical metadata from being uploaded, then the central processing system can automatically prompt another computing device to temporarily or permanently assume the role of leader.