Cyber-security experts fear that hackers could take advantage of automated car technology in order to cause chaos on the roads.
The Institution of Engineering and Technology has compiled a report on how best to integrate driverless cars into the current British road system and also what threats could stop us from doing so. It is thought that although automated cars could reduce the likelihood of accidents by removing human error, there is a good chance of an increase in collisions caused by the difficulty in mixing new technology with the existing manual vehicle stock. Experiments in simulators suggest that drivers imitate the driving style of automated vehicles and end up leaving dangerously small braking gaps.
But beyond the practical obstacles to be overcome, software security is the biggest concern and manufacturers will under pressure to reassure the public that hackers will not have easy access to cause disruption.
Hugh Boyes of the IET said: “The motor industry is really strong on safety but if someone tries to interfere with the vehicle, tries to hack it and disrupt it, then these don’t fall under the typical safety issues.
“Unfortunately living in the world today people do try to tamper with technology. The industry is only just starting to recognise this.”
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