With 600-franc tools: Three cyclists broke Tesla’s autopilot

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What worries European auto executives most about Tesla? It’s not about sales numbers or crazy mileage; The problem is software. The US electrical pioneer from Austin, Texas is said to be several years ahead of the competition, according to industry experts. The reason: While European manufacturers still install up to 100 decentralized controllers in their cars, Tesla relies on a centralized computer, similar to a computer or mobile phone, that runs the car’s operating system.

The technology is closely guarded. However, three PhD students from the Technical University of Berlin (D) have now managed to figure out some of the technology. Germans Christian Werling, Niclas Kühnapfel and Hans-Niklas Jacob managed to break the hardware of the Tesla Autopilot assistance system with equipment worth approximately 600 francs. This was reported by “Spiegel”. Three PhD students had carried out the first Tesla coup in August 2023: At that time, they were able to hack the infotainment system and activate paid functions, for example heated seats in the back seat.

Security vulnerability in the chip was exploited

Since the researchers did not own a Tesla and only got around Berlin by bicycle, they had to obtain the autopilot’s electronic card through an intermediary in the United States. They then exploited a weak point in the chips and were able to read information stored in the hardware by reducing the operating voltage for a few microseconds. According to the researchers, a rival could use the obtained information to copy the autopilot system.

Even a stealth driving mode could be activated: Over the summer, another hacker managed to activate a fully automatic driving mode where the driver could literally put their hands on their lap and the Tesla would drive itself, naming it after Tesla boss Elon. Musk (52) Elon Mode. PhD students from Berlin were also able to activate this driving program. Under normal operating conditions, Tesla’s autopilot system cannot cope with this yet; The driver needs to keep his hands on the steering wheel.

Only possible in the laboratory

Tesla has repeatedly come under criticism in recent years because the automaker, and CEO Elon Musk in particular, touted Autopilot as a system for true autonomous driving, despite lacking the technical and legal requirements for it. Two weeks ago, upon instructions from US authorities, Tesla had to turn off some system functions in delivered vehicles.

The three researchers want to present their findings at the Chaos Computer Club’s annual conference, which begins on December 27. They had already confronted Tesla with the results of their research. Berlin IT security experts, unlike criminal hackers, want to draw attention to complaints and problems in the use of IT and thus help improve systems.

In recent years, experts have demonstrated several times that car software can also be hacked into moving cars and thus take control of vehicle systems. But Werling, Kühnapfel and Jacob say in “Spiegel” that this is not possible in their case: Unlike software hacks, to break hardware you have to remove circuit boards and manipulate them in the laboratory.

Source: Blick