US Defense Department Pours $800,000 Into Research Preventing Cyberattacks on Self-Driving Cars, UAVs Networks

The US Department of Defense has allocated an $800,000 grant to the University of Texas at Arlington for research on developing defenses against potential cyberattacks on self-driving cars and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) networks.

Animesh Chakravarthy, an associate professor in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (MAE) at the University of Texas at Arlington, led the research project titled "Resilient Multi-Vehicle Networks."

He is joined by co-principal investigators MAE Professor Kamesh Subbarao and Bill Beksi, an assistant professor in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering.

Ensuring Network Resiliency

The main objective of the research is to ensure the resilience of networks of self-driving cars and UAVs against cyberattacks. Chakravarthy emphasized that even a few compromised vehicles within a network could significantly impact the entire system.

To address this issue, the team aims to develop mechanisms to detect attacks in real time and implement effective countermeasures.

"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," Chakravarthy said in a statement.

"We have to make these networks of vehicles resilient to such attacks. This project is meant to detect occurrences as they happen, then provide countermeasures," he added.

In addition to defending against cyberattacks, the researchers will analyze the economic costs associated with such attacks on automated vehicles. They will investigate factors like the time and financial resources wasted in traffic congestion or waiting for accidents to be cleared.

Erian Armanios, the MAE Department Chair, highlighted the importance of Chakravarthy's research for the advancement of unmanned vehicle networks. Ensuring these vehicle networks' smooth and safe operation is crucial, and the work of Chakravarthy, Subbarao, and Beksi is expected to play a significant role in achieving that goal.

The Rise of Self-Driving Cars and UAVs

The rising popularity of self-driving cars and UAVs has increased concerns about potential cyber threats. As technology continues to evolve, it becomes imperative to safeguard these automated systems from malicious attacks that could have far-reaching consequences.

Chakravarthy's research is expected to contribute significantly to the field of autonomous vehicles by enhancing their security and resilience. By developing effective defenses against cyberattacks, the project aims to instill greater confidence in the public regarding the safety and reliability of self-driving cars and UAVs.

As the project progresses, the University of Texas at Arlington team aims to contribute valuable insights and solutions that will shape the future of self-driving cars and UAVs in the hopes of making them safer and more secure for all users.