Safeguarding Autonomous Vehicle Networks: Land, Air, Sea

Safeguarding Autonomous Vehicle Networks: Land, Air, Sea
by Brad Bartz
Los Angeles CA (SPX) Jul 25, 2023

A team of researchers at the University of Texas at Arlington (UTA) is launching an initiative aimed at fortifying the cybersecurity of self-driving cars and unmanned aerial vehicles. The team's objective is to develop robust defense mechanisms capable of averting potential cyberattacks that could disrupt the networks of these autonomous systems.

Animesh Chakravarthy, an associate professor in UTA's Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (MAE), is spearheading this critical project. The U.S. Department of Defense has allocated an approximate grant of $800,000 to the project titled "Resilient Multi-Vehicle Networks." Joining Chakravarthy in this endeavor are MAE Professor Kamesh Subbarao and Bill Beksi, an assistant professor in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering. All three educators are collaborating as co-principal investigators.

Chakravarthy described the potential ripple effect of a cyberattack on a network of autonomous vehicles, stating, "If hackers find a way to affect 10 out of 100 self-driving cars in a given area, they might have an impact on all 100 cars because the 10 hacked cars would have a ripple effect on the other vehicles." As such, the aim of the project is to fortify the resilience of these vehicle networks against such cyber threats. In addition to detection of attacks as they occur, the project aims to swiftly develop and implement countermeasures to mitigate the impacts.

Another aspect of the project involves the team attempting to estimate the costs associated with such cyberattacks on automated vehicle systems. These costs include both financial and time losses incurred due to traffic jams or accidents, and the subsequent delays required to clear them.

Erian Armanios, the Chair of MAE at UTA, emphasized the importance of Chakravarthy's research for the future of unmanned vehicle networks. He pointed out the need for ensuring the smooth and safe operations of these vehicle networks, highlighting that this project will contribute significantly to achieving that goal.

The study underscores the increasing importance of cybersecurity in the age of automation. As autonomous vehicles continue to proliferate, the necessity for robust cybersecurity measures to ensure their reliable and safe operation becomes paramount. Through the "Resilient Multi-Vehicle Networks" project, UTA researchers aim to develop vital safeguards to protect these vehicles and their users from potential cyber threats.