Reports Suggest Terrorists May Utilize Self-Driving Cars

Google Self-Driving Car Prototype (Credit: © Google)

Right now, automakers are pushing autonomous technology as something that will help save lives. Considering that car crashes are responsible for a shocking number of deaths, not to mention serious injuries and property damage, it’s a noble cause. Unfortunately, ISIS is reportedly looking to twist the tech as a way to kill innocent people.

The immediate thought is that the terrorist organization will hack into self-driving vehicles and turn them into deadly weapons. That could happen, but what Mikko Hypponen, the Chief Research Officer for F-Secure, a web security firm, explained at South by Southwest is that ISIS is likely working to create its own autonomous drive units.

Instead of sending live humans as suicide bombers, the terrorists would use mannequins that are heated in a way to trick security sensors into thinking a human driver is behind the wheel. It’s a scary thought.

If ISIS is looking for ways to use autonomous cars for destruction, there’s no doubt others are already working on it, or will in the near future. This isn’t a call to outlaw self-driving cars, but instead should be a wakeup call and a reminder that certain securities should be built into the vehicles, because technology is only a tool, and in the wrong hands it can be incredibly destructive.