Source: ​DARPA Hacks GM's OnStar To Remote Control A Chevrolet Impala What, they couldn't get a Prius? . . . Sorry, I'm still pissed at how many times in past 'hackers' have disassembled Prius to reach the control electronics and claim a scalp. Bob Wilson
Hackers gonna hack. Besides...this is an On* thing. I have more than one GM, but I can't possibly think of something to worry about less than DARPA ....the Illuminati, aliens (meaning extra-terrestrial) or anybody else hacking into my car.
I wish the story had said more about the remote disabling of the brakes, causing Ms. Stahl to hit the cones. I suspect that the hack disabled only the power assist, and that she was ignorant of the need to respond as if the brakes had reverted to old fashioned non-power-assist mode. I.e. put your full body weight into the pedal. The story didn't give enough detail. If pressing harder would have made the brakes function well enough, then CBS was remiss in not reminding drivers how to respond to this sort of brake failure. Many drivers today are too young to have ever driven a car without power assisted brakes. If pressing harder would not have helped, then that brake design flunks NHTSA passenger car brake regulations, and should be recalled.
Somehow this reminds me of rocket motors and gas tanks..... Of course that was back in the 90's, and recent events teach us that the quality of the story is much more important than any facts that might get in the way.
so does that mean OnStar equipped cars don't have emergency brakes? This reminds me of the several stories where the poor slobs driving a Prius would get something stuck underneath the accelerator pedal. Now it's an emergency - but the poor Prius driver never considered holding down the power button for a few seconds because they never bothered to read the manual - which clearly tells how that will kill the ignition. That's people for you ... just get in and go. Heck you can't even get people to check their tire pressures much less walk around the car for obstructions. But don't worry - a few billion more in research and we may someday create an idiot proof car. Meanwhile I think I'll hold off - purchasing that OnStar equipped chevy Bolt. that said, DARPA and their ilk have similarly messed with the Prius in the past. There are several threads on PC telling about it. .
