Cyber Threats
Toyota, Nissan Announce Cars with Remote Update System
Automotive giants Toyota and Nissan recently announced their latest connected car offerings, which could be remotely updated. The new features also allow consumers to get the latest features without buying the newest release in the market.
Automotive manufacturing giants Toyota and Nissan recently announced that they are producing autonomous vehicles with software that can be updated over the air or remotely.
This new feature will enable drivers to access the latest features and performance tweaks without getting the latest model in the market.
For Toyota, these remote updates will be available for the new Teammate driver assistance system of the 2021 Lexus LS. As for Nissan, over the air updates for the Ariya will come out sometime this year. The update is expected to include additions and adjustments that help enhance the steering wheel's responsiveness and minimize power consumption.
Some connected cars may receive remote updates without needing an internet service provider contract. However, this all depends on the automaker. Apart from giving consumers the option to update their connected cars' software without buying the latest model, remote updates can help enhance various driving functions and repair bugs.
In addition to Toyota and Nissan, other automakers like Volkswagen and Ford Motor are adopting over-the-air technology. However, automakers still need approval by regulators when rolling out any updates related to safe functionality. Remote updates can make it easier to send various versions in different markets despite having to comply with an array of regulators in various countries.
With the emergence of over the air technology, the software will become a much more significant point of a connected car, which means automotive security will become more vital than ever as well. Securing the autonomous vehicle's software is necessary to ensure both the car system itself and the users' security.
To learn more about securing a connected car, read Trend Micro's paper entitled "ISO/SAE 21434: Securing Tomorrow's Connected Cars" which provides an in-depth look at security challenges and vulnerabilities faced by today's connected vehicles. Trend Micro researchers also give insights and recommendations to mitigate these risks.