Tesla Autopilot tricked into accelerating
Occurred: February 2020
Can you improve this page?
Share your insights with us
Researchers at McFee Labs have tricked several Tesla models into breaking the speed limit by sticking a 2-inch piece of electrical tape on a sign.
When the researchers placed a bit of black electrical tape measuring 5cm on a road sign depicting a 35mph speed limit, the MobilEye camera in a Model X misread the sign as 85mph and began accelerating.
The attack only worked for older Tesla Model S and X vehicles using MobilEye's EyeQ3 camera system. The system is deployed in over 40 million vehicles across the world.
Operator: Tesla
Developer: Tesla
Country: USA
Sector: Automotive
Purpose: Automate steering, acceleration, braking
Technology: Driver assistance system; Computer vision
Issue: Safety; Accuracy/reliability
Transparency: Black box
System
Research, advocacy
McAfee Labs (2020). Model Hacking ADAS to Pave Safer Roads for Autonomous Vehicles
News, commentary, analysis
Page info
Type: Incident
Published: March 2023