Tesla Plans to Open-Source Its Vehicle Security Software for Free to Other Automakers

[Megalith]

Believing he has the best solution, Elon Musk plans to make Tesla’s vehicle security software open source so other automakers can adopt the technology for “a safe self-driving future for all.” On top of “specialized encryption” for “multiple sub-systems,” future Tesla vehicles will ensure drivers always have “override authority” in the event their cars become “wacky.”

“I think one of the biggest concerns for autonomous vehicles is somebody achieving a fleet-wide hack. In principle, if someone was able to say, hack all the autonomous Teslas, they could say – I mean just as a prank – they could say ‘send them all to Rhode Island’ [laugh] – across the United States… and that would be the end of Tesla and there would be a lot of angry people in Rhode Island.”

 

[Wrecked Em]

Why would they be angry? Who wouldn't want a fleet of free Teslas?

 

[emphy]

Why would they be angry? Who wouldn't want a fleet of free Teslas?

The prankster in question would, naturally, keep the cars driving and periodically recharging.

 

[lollerwaffle]

Surprising that this hasn't happened before. Now you have an existing fleet vulnerable to exploits found by studying the open source, rather than having squashed some issues earlier on. But better late than never!

 

[theBrownLlama]

free purchase, but not-free service, support and maintenance

hehe, sneaky bait

 

[Wierdo]

It's the smart thing to do imho, security by obscurity is not a good way to improve the system, better to let it be available for researchers and hackers to study and help improve. If someone else wants to build their own system based on it then that's cool too, better security for cars on the road is good for all companies and drivers.

 

[katanaD]

the more eyes on the code, the better. Also if other companies come up with good ideas and then ported into the general source.. it helps everyone.

 

[GNUse_the_force]

in comes Microsoft...

then ..

finally..