It’s clear that one of the most important selling points and design features of future cars will be the driver interface. In a world of increasingly connected social media outlets and smartphone apps, the car is becoming an extension of all that. Google has announced a collaboration with GM, Ford has its collaboration with Microsoft… I wonder who Apple will partner with? Come on, don’t tell me you haven’t thought about it.
But all this nifty integration and connectedness may come with a dangerous price: opening your vehicle up to the whim of a hacker and his viruses.
Although we still don’t fully know what went wrong with the ‘unintended acceleration’ fiasco, one thing it did elucidate was the fact that bad things can happen if electronics and software go wiggy. Now, some researchers from the University of Washington and the University of California San Diego have begun to try and put their finger on these potential future threats… and they’ve come up with some shocking results.
In a paper from the Center for Automotive Embedded Systems Security (betcha didn’t know that existed), the researchers say that they were able to gain surprising access to a car’s computer system and force it to disengage its brakes while moving or even slam them on at will. They were also able to control all the exterior and interior lighting. Although the researchers only tested two cars from different automakers, the systems they used to obtain access are available on every modern car and they say they would fully expect the same level of vulnerability on other cars
It should be noted that the researchers conducted their experiments by physically connecting up with the car, and they say that current car drivers shouldn’t be worried as the hacking now requires a physical connection. But they warn that in the future, given the fact that internet connected cars with access to a gigantic library of applications are almost here, we can expect clever hackers to be able to gain access to a car’s electronics and software from anywhere in the world.
Now that just gives me the skeevies thinking about it. Although I can see the unlimited potential in all of these new features, I wouldn’t want to give up my car’s complete autonomy. Although, with the example of ‘unintended acceleration,’ maybe I already have? Can you see it now… not only will you have to pay a monthly subscription for anti-virus software for your computer, you’ll have to pay the bastards twice for your car as well.
Source: Technology Review
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Nick, Why did the title indicate that this was a future problem? These vehicles are computer controlled and have “Fly by wire” throttles on many non-hybrids. I suspected a temperature caused computer failure on the initial reports of this round of “unintended acceleration”. I also provided to any one who wished to use it a solution to the runaway engines. The solution is a return to a driver controlled butterfly valve on the air intake system. If you shut off the air the engine will not increase the power output. It will return to idle, or if the fuel flow is still increased, it wll flood out. hybrids, which generally include regenerative braking to extend the range must have a delay in the motion of the brake pedal before activation of the brake system.
Both Toyota and Ford have stated that if this happened the mechanical brake system will function correctly, but the pedal must be shoved about an inch or more farther than normally used. This is a different operating mode than older cars. It must be taught by the dealer to the buyer. This will require not only a vehicle in which the failure mode can be applied at will by a trainer, but also the integrity of the dealer and the manufacturer to admit to the different and more dangerous operating conditions.
This could also be solved by eliminating the regeneration lag and applying the regenerative braking in relation to the throttle pedal position. The drawback to this is that the driver would effectively be prevented from stretching the throttle pedal leg a moving it would apply maximum regenerative braking. The solution might be cruise control, but then you have the roblem of preventing unwanted panic stops caused by just tapping the brake pedal.
Didn’t the Mini-E have a switch selectable regeneration mode between very aggressive and semi passive?
The solution might be to use a single pedal pivoted in the center to control the electric controls and keep the current brake pedal for emergencies. The problem here is just how strong should the off, or neutral detent be? We sure couldn’t have the pedal in the wrong position when engaging the motor.
Your suggestions?
Nick, Why did the title indicate that this was a future problem? These vehicles are computer controlled and have “Fly by wire” throttles on many non-hybrids. I suspected a temperature caused computer failure on the initial reports of this round of “unintended acceleration”. I also provided to any one who wished to use it a solution to the runaway engines. The solution is a return to a driver controlled butterfly valve on the air intake system. If you shut off the air the engine will not increase the power output. It will return to idle, or if the fuel flow is still increased, it wll flood out. hybrids, which generally include regenerative braking to extend the range must have a delay in the motion of the brake pedal before activation of the brake system.
Both Toyota and Ford have stated that if this happened the mechanical brake system will function correctly, but the pedal must be shoved about an inch or more farther than normally used. This is a different operating mode than older cars. It must be taught by the dealer to the buyer. This will require not only a vehicle in which the failure mode can be applied at will by a trainer, but also the integrity of the dealer and the manufacturer to admit to the different and more dangerous operating conditions.
This could also be solved by eliminating the regeneration lag and applying the regenerative braking in relation to the throttle pedal position. The drawback to this is that the driver would effectively be prevented from stretching the throttle pedal leg a moving it would apply maximum regenerative braking. The solution might be cruise control, but then you have the roblem of preventing unwanted panic stops caused by just tapping the brake pedal.
Didn’t the Mini-E have a switch selectable regeneration mode between very aggressive and semi passive?
The solution might be to use a single pedal pivoted in the center to control the electric controls and keep the current brake pedal for emergencies. The problem here is just how strong should the off, or neutral detent be? We sure couldn’t have the pedal in the wrong position when engaging the motor.
Your suggestions?
Hey, is this why the dishwasher comes on whenever I start the Prius?
Hey, is this why the dishwasher comes on whenever I start the Prius?
I spent half an hour typing various search contents to see if someone was discussing the same idea of ‘Internet Car Invasion’. I too am looking into the “crystal ball” and am envisioning a nightmare of possibilities. Your idea of having to download anti-V software is too good a profit for corporate to give up. As electric circuit modules become more sophisticated, I’m sure all components, from sensors, and dashboard gauges to FBW gas and brake pedals; radio, wireless phone access, odometer reading, manipulating GPS location, intercepting online credit card payment info, etc.
What will really p…me off is the car company sending a signal after 90 days or 6 months to turn off a little component under the hood or dash to cause my car to run poorly and then have to bring it in to the shop. Of course the company would only do this in special need-based cases such as…needing to supersede last quarter’s profit margins. The only time they’d want to do that is…ALL THE TIME!!!
Our ‘unmolested’ legislators need to begin work on regulations to keep the corporate beast on its leash in preparation for the coming fleecing of America by Americans.
Wow!…what a country.