Researchers Successfully Fool Self Driving Vehicles Into Thinking A Stop Sign Is A 45 MPH Speed-limit Sign

University of Washington researchers have found a very simple way to trick self-driving cars into misidentifying road signs.

The researchers found that strategically-placed stickers are enough to fool the image-processing software in autonomous cars, according to Car and Driver. Spookily, in one experiment, stickers attached to a stop sign caused sensors to misidentify it as a speed-limit sign.

Security researchers exploited this flaw by essentially creating an analog hack. Instead of breaking into a car's computers and sending illicit commands, the researchers simply examined the programs cars use to identify different objects. Along with a photo of the target sign, they were able to create printable stickers based on known faults in how the system processes images.

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MDarringer - 8/7/2017 1:21:11 PM

+2 Boost

Cue the sharp denials from the Tesla Deathpilot fans and autonomous driving ninnies that this kind of technology has any issues.

carloslassiter - 8/7/2017 1:40:24 PM

-2 Boost

Stop signs and speed limits are already programmed into my cufrentnav system, so that the system recognizes them and notes things like speed limit changes without having to actually see a sign. It's pretty obvious that's where we're headed, even if you don't like it.

MDarringer - 8/7/2017 2:27:32 PM

+2 Boost

I love your scenario. And in some disfiguring bodily injury and I'm there.

TomM - 8/8/2017 6:35:03 PM

+1 Boost

I think the day will come when signs have embedded electronics that will converse with the cars on the roads - this will limit the cars to speed limits as well as space between cars - speed on turns - acceleration onto a highway - and will END the idea of have a car to enjoy driving. And this will happen BEFORE fully auto self driving cars will be allowed on the roads. I can imagine speed limits in WORK AREAS be controlled by special signs as well.

WHen this happens - there will not longer be a need for TVRs or Ferrari's - as ALL cars will accelerate at the same rate - go the same speed - and brake at the same rate as well. Essentially - your car will become another Box car o the train - and you will have no ability to control those things.

THe unintended result of this - of course - will be the end to driving as WE know it - and the only thing that will separate cars on the road will be the interior - and interior size.