self-driving cars - Automotive - Red Sky Alliance2024-03-29T14:09:38Zhttps://redskyalliance.org/automotive/feed/tag/self-driving+carsGPS and Carshttps://redskyalliance.org/automotive/gps-and-cars2019-04-11T15:20:32.000Z2019-04-11T15:20:32.000ZBill Schenkelberghttps://redskyalliance.org/members/BillSchenkelberg<div><p>With global positioning systems (GPS) being so integral to future self-driving vehicle operations, new concerns of GPS hacking are raising concerns.  Imagine in the future manipulating or turning off automated vehicle GPS components for only 30 seconds.  The flow of vehicular traffic and commerce would come to a stand-still. </p>
<p>GPS and other Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) are used in everyday life; from cellular communication networks, to basic consumer goods, high-end military systems, stock trading inputs and future self-driving cars.  Researchers from C4ADS<a href="#_ftn1" name="_ftnref1" id="_ftnref1">[1]</a> and the University of Texas at Austin are reporting that these navigation systems are vulnerable to cyber-attacks.  Their report which was recently published, illustrates state sponsored hackers who attack positioning, navigational, and timing (PNT) data, through electronic warfare (EW) techniques, which then could cause significant damage to modern militaries, major economies, and everyday consumers.  With recent technological advances, the tools and methodologies for conducting this type interference is now a chilling reality.  “GNSS attacks are emerging as a viable, disruptive strategic threat,” states the analysis.  The full C4ADS report, presents findings from a year-long investigation on an emerging element of EW activity: the ability to mimic, or “spoof,” legitimate GNSS signals in order to manipulate PNT data.  Their report shows analyzed patterns of GNSS spoofing in the Russian Federation, Crimea, and Syria.  Their claim indicates Russia is developing an advantage in this type cyber hacking.    </p>
<p><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}1891064331,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="align-full" src="{{#staticFileLink}}1891064331,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" width="170" height="214" /></a>C4ADS identified 9,883 suspected GPS instances across numerous locations that affected many civilian vessel navigation systems since February 2016.  They reveal these activities are larger in scope, more diverse in geography, and longer in duration than any current open source reporting.  C4ADS provided a close correlation between movements of the Russian head of state and GNSS spoofing events.  They believe the Russian Federal Protective Service (FSO) operates mobile systems to support this activity.  The researchers pinpointed a possible mobile system that was manufactured by a company closely connected to the FSO.  Finally, C4ADS exposes the use of GPS spoofing in active Russian combat zones, particularly in Syria, for airspace denial purposes.  This is a capability rarely reported in the public domain. Using data from a scientific sensor on the International Space Station (ISS), researchers recognized ongoing activity that poses significant threats to civilian airline GPS systems in the region.  C4ADS found the likely location for this system to be in the northwestern quadrant of a Russian airbase and identified, through open source, potential military-grade EW systems in use.</p>
<p><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}1891070862,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="align-full" src="{{#staticFileLink}}1891070862,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" width="324" height="216" /></a></p>
<p>So, want does all this mean for the automotive industry?  Our analysts believe that current GPS systems remain vulnerable, and if utilized in the future, self-driving cars need to be 99.9% foolproof before the consumer base fully accept this automotive technology.  Wapack Labs will continue to follow and monitor any GPS disruptions or any cyber-attacks to navigation systems.</p>
<p>Wapack Labs is located in New Boston, NH.  We are a Cyber Threat Analysis and Intelligence organization. For questions or comments regarding this report, please contact the lab directly by at 1-844-492-7225, or <a href="mailto:feedback@wapacklabs.com">feedback@wapacklabs.com</a>        </p>
<p><a href="#_ftnref1" name="_ftn1" id="_ftn1">[1]</a> Center for Advanced Defense Studies <a href="https://c4ads.org/">https://c4ads.org/</a></p>
</div>Will Self-Driving Cars be Safe?https://redskyalliance.org/automotive/will-self-driving-cars-be-safe2019-04-01T18:54:00.000Z2019-04-01T18:54:00.000ZBill Schenkelberghttps://redskyalliance.org/members/BillSchenkelberg<div><p>In a recent The Tech Advocate blog, the issue of trusting self-driving cars with our children’s safety was discussed.  Imagine placing your seven-year-old child on a self-driving school bus.  Would you?  Researchers in China tried to answer this question.  Researchers at Tianjin University and Chang’an University surveyed 499 people in the City of Tianjin to find out what level of risk would be acceptable for them when it comes self-driving cars, versus human-driven cars.<a href="#_ftn1" name="_ftnref1" id="_ftnref1">[1]</a>  Their research results showed that the public would only accept this new technology if can prove to be approximately four to five times as safe as human-driven vehicles. </p>
<p>So, can artificial intelligence (AI) technology and the automotive industry deliver this level of safety?  The goal is to make self-driving cars “safer” than human-driven vehicles.  Many vehicles already have Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) that keep drivers alerted to constantly-changing scenarios on the road.  AI, machine learning and computer vision make a range of ADAS features possible, which will be part of self-driving vehicles and is currently making human driving much safer. </p>
<p>These features include lane departure warning, forward collision warning, rear-end collision avoidance, blind spot detection, pedestrian detection, vehicle detection, and speed limit detection.  ADAS rely on sensors and actuators that communicate over localized networks.  These systems are providing the foundation for future autonomous cars.  This will eventually make all autonomous vehicles connected to each other.  What cyber vulnerabilities does this create?  Connected AI vehicles, like all Internet of Things (IoT) devices, are exposed to cyber security threats.</p>
<p>In 2015, cyber researchers Charlie Miller and Chris Valasek hacked a Grand Jeep Cherokee and interfered with the Jeep’s steering, braking, and other vital vehicle functions.<a href="#_ftn2" name="_ftnref2" id="_ftnref2">[2]</a>  This hack was accomplished through the vehicle’s “smart system.” </p>
<p><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}1741563294,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="align-full" src="{{#staticFileLink}}1741563294,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" width="247" height="139" /></a><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}1741565094,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="align-full" src="{{#staticFileLink}}1741565094,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" width="245" height="135" /></a>A recent McKinsey survey on AI connected vehicles showed that almost half of the survey’s respondents said they distrust the computers that control autonomous vehicles and 38 percent “feared hacking.”  But, more than half of the respondents indicated they would feel secure to travel in a self-driving vehicle if their concerns were addressed. </p>
<p>Fortunately for the industry, ADAS technologies already abide by high safety requirements.  These safety requirements must, and will increase as the level of autonomy increases.  Many future ADAS technologies will be rated at Automotive Safety Integrity Level D.<a href="#_ftn3" name="_ftnref3" id="_ftnref3">[3]</a> This is an ISO classification that applies to components or systems where a malfunction poses the risk of injury or death.</p>
<p><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}1741568979,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="align-full" src="{{#staticFileLink}}1741568979,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" width="261" height="178" /></a>The automotive industry appears confident that every measure is being taken to ensure that future self-driving vehicles will be safe.  Companies such as Ford, GM, Mercedes, Apple, Intel, and Delphi have all contributed major technical and financial investments to make self-driving vehicles a safe reality.  The US military is aggressively researching and testing self-driving vehicles, yet personal autonomous cars are still a few years off.  Once AI self-driving vehicles become prevalent, and can prove safety to its occupants, the general public will become confident in putting their young children on self-driving vehicles. </p>
<p>Red Sky Alliance collects and analyzes automotive cyber technology for our members.  </p>
<p><strong>About Wapack Labs</strong></p>
<p>Wapack Labs is located in New Boston, NH.  We are a Cyber Threat Analysis and Intelligence organization. For questions or comments regarding this report, please contact the lab directly by at 1-844-492-7225, or <a href="mailto:feedback@wapacklabs.com">feedback@wapacklabs.com</a>.</p>
<p><a href="#_ftnref1" name="_ftn1" id="_ftn1">[1]</a> <a href="https://www.thetechedvocate.org/would-you-let-your-self-driving-car-take-your-kids-to-school/">https://www.thetechedvocate.org/would-you-let-your-self-driving-car-take-your-kids-to-school/</a></p>
<p><a href="#_ftnref2" name="_ftn2" id="_ftn2">[2]</a> <a href="https://resources.infosecinstitute.com/the-nightmare-of-car-hacking/#gref">https://resources.infosecinstitute.com/the-nightmare-of-car-hacking/#gref</a></p>
<p><a href="#_ftnref3" name="_ftn3" id="_ftn3">[3]</a> <a href="http://www.ni.com/en-us/innovations/white-papers/11/what-is-the-iso-26262-functional-safety-standard-.html">http://www.ni.com/en-us/innovations/white-papers/11/what-is-the-iso-26262-functional-safety-standard-.html</a></p>
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