TECH

One Tech Tip: Protecting your car from the growing risk of keyless vehicle thefts

They appear like ghosts in the night, standing outside your house, one holding up an antenna while the other crouches next to the car parked on the driveway. Within seconds, your car is gone, yet another victim amid a surge in auto theft enabled by the technology designed to make it easier to unlock and start vehicles.

Auto technology has evolved and many newer cars use wireless key fobs and push-button starters instead of traditional metal keys. The fob sends a short-range signal, so when the driver approaches the car, it automatically unlocks the door. This saves you the hassle of digging out your keys when you've got your hands full with groceries.

But that technology also makes things easier for thieves. The wireless fob will continue to emit a signal even if you're not using it. Thieves prowl neighborhoods at night looking for cars parked outside so they can carry out so-called relay attacks. Using portable equipment that can pick up the faint signal from a fob inside the house or parking lot, they relay it back to a transmitter that can clone the signal.

Officials have urged carmakers to reduce the security vulnerabilities and warn owners about the risks.

So what can you do to reduce the odds that your car will be gone in 60 seconds? "It's relatively easy for drivers to protect themselves," said Steve Launchbury, principal engineer of automotive security at Thatcham Research, a U.K.-based automotive risk intelligence company. Here are some tips:

USE A SIGNAL BLOCKER...A simple but effective way to stop auto bandits from purloining your key fob signal is to use a Faraday bag or pouch. They're lined with a conductive metal mesh that blocks the transmission of electromagnetic signals.

The pouches aren't expensive, and you can also get boxes that do the same thing. But experts advise testing to make sure they work. Just put the key fob inside and approach your car. If the doors don't automatically unlock, then the signal is being blocked.

It's also important to remember to use it whenever you leave your vehicle, and don't forget to put all of your key fobs inside, including any spares.

But ignore some advice making the rounds on the internet telling you to put your fob in the microwave or freezer. It doesn't have the same effect as a Faraday bag, and you risk damaging your key.

GET AN OLD-FASHIONED LOCK...Try an old-school solution by using a physical lock. Some police forces advise car owners to use them to make your vehicle look less tempting to steal. The reasoning is that a would-be thief might be deterred by the effort needed to cut through the lock and instead turn their attention to an easier target.

Locks, in the shape of a disk or a long bar, clamp onto the steering wheel and make it difficult to steer. There are also versions for manual transmissions that prevent the car from being put in gear. The downside is you'll need extra time to attach or remove it whenever you aren't driving.

Metropolitan Police Department Sgt. Anthony Walsh sets out steering wheel locks at an anti-crime event in Washington on Nov. 7, 2023. A physical lock that attaches to the steering wheel can act as a visible deterrent to car thieves. Credit: AP Photo/Amanda Andrade-Rhoades, File

CHANGE UP YOUR SETTINGS...For many cars, it's possible to deactivate the wireless setting so that you can't open the door remotely. For Fords, Hondas and Audis, use the touchscreen menus. If you own a Toyota, you can temporarily disable the signal by holding down the fob's lock button and at the same time pressing the unlock button twice. If you've done it correctly, the fob's indicator light should blink four times. Be aware that the next time you press any button, remote unlocking will be reactivated.

The method will vary depending on make and model so consult your owner's manual for the exact process. If it sounds complicated, there are YouTube videos that walk you through it. Don't forget that in most cases you'll now have to manually press the fob's unlock button.

Automakers have started adding motion sensors to key fobs. If the sensor doesn't detect recent movement because it's been, say, left on the kitchen counter after you come home, the fob goes into sleep mode and stops transmitting. If it lacks this capability, check with your dealer whether it's possible to upgrade it.

If you buy a used car, some experts also advise getting the keys reprogrammed, just in case the previous owner kept one of the fobs.

WATCH OUT FOR NEW METHODS...Researchers have uncovered a new auto theft technique that doesn't target radio signals. The controller area network, or CAN, is "a feature of modern cars which allows different components and systems to communicate, (and) has recently been targeted and exploited by thieves," said Thatcham's Launchbury.

The network allows sensors and control modules to talk to each other directly, instead of going through a central node. Thieves take advantage by accessing the network from the car's exterior, usually by removing a headlight and connecting a device that can "inject" a signal, tricking the car into unlocking and starting.

While automakers work on improving CAN security, "there are steps drivers can take today to add layers of security and deter criminals," such as using a physical lock, Launchbury said.

Aftermarket electronic immobilizer systems "should render a criminal's theft tool useless," and might even get you a discount on auto insurance, he said. Thatcham and other companies offer them but the downside is they can be quite pricey.

© 2024 The Associated Press

 

AUTONEWS

Marathon Watch and Jeep announced the launch of the new Jeep x Marathon watch collection

This week, Marathon Watch and Jeep announced the launch of the new Jeep x Marathon collection, featuring four timepieces that honor each brand's rich history and honorable service to the Allied Forces since 1941.

The Jeep x Marathon collaboration watches embody the resilient spirit of both companies and reflect their military roots and common functional designs. The series is inspired by two iconic vehicles, the Willys MB - the first car used by the USA in World War II - and the modern Jeep Wrangler Rubicon. The new collection is a testament to a utilitarian design spirit and pays homage to each brand's origins.

Furthermore, the ‘General Purpose’ military specification unites the two brands. In 1941, the American company Willys-Overland received a contract from the US Army to supply four-wheel drive reconnaissance vehicles for use in the European theater of operations. Some say that the soldiers shortened the designation 'General Purpose' to 'GP', from which the easily pronounceable word 'Jeep' was derived.

At the same time, the Marathon Watch Company officially began manufacturing timekeeping instruments for Allied Forces infantry. Marathon’s current collection of field watches continues to follow the correct government designation of ‘General Purpose’, abbreviated by the brand and referred to simply as ‘GP’.

“We are excited to embark on this partnership with Jeep,” said Mitchell Wein, president of Marathon Watch Company. “We have been waiting for her for a long time. Our new collection aims to honor the robust and authentic spirit that both brands embody. Marathon's legacy, created by my grandfather in 1939, consisted of creating rugged, mission-ready watches for the Allied Forces. Now, more than 80 years later, we are joining Jeep and highlighting our shared military heritage in a truly special project.”

“We are extremely proud of this unique collaboration that represents a shared legacy of common values and legendary history in our Jeep x Marathon Officer’s and SAR watches,” said Kim Adams House, Director of Licensing and Merchandising, Stellantis, North America. “These watches are not just for telling time - they tell a story of two brands coming together based on shared values and purposeful use for consumers, uniting ‘Jeep people’ and ‘watch people’. Both Jeep and Marathon have built trusted reputations, so whether you're hitting the road in a Jeep or navigating the terrain on foot, these brands can be considered true partners and companions that enable consumers to 'go anywhere and do whatever they want'.”

Officer’s General Purpose (GP) Series - Featuring two 41mm field watches, the Officer’s Series features a modernized treatment of the original World War II-era Marathon dial. In this new iteration, the classic dial has received updates such as typographic treatments inspired by the 1941 Jeep Wrangler Limited Edition, a new black dial and fully illuminated aged Radium numerals. Each model features a 316L steel case with a parkerized finish, reducing reflectivity and increasing corrosion resistance. The set is available in manual winding mechanical (SSGPM) and quartz (SSGPQ) versions, both with 12-hour and 60-minute scales. The 41mm SSGPM is powered by a Swiss-made Sellita SW210-1 18-jewel mechanical movement. Meanwhile, the 41mm SSGPQ is powered by a Swiss-made ETA F06.402 HeavyDrive-PreciDrive quartz movement. Greater visibility in low light conditions is guaranteed by MaraGlo lighting on the hour hand, minute hand and Arabic hour numerals. Each watch comes with a new three-piece leather strap kit crafted from Crazy Horse leather.

Search and Rescue (SAR) Series - Complementing the officers' watches are two new additions to the SAR range. The designs create a timeless military look that seamlessly fuses elements from each brand. This set is available in self-winding (GSAR) and quartz (TSAR) versions. Both dials feature a distinctive ‘red line’ indicator reused as a 15-minute countdown (inspired by the Jeep instrument panel) and typographic treatments inspired by the 1941 Jeep Wrangler Limited Edition. An icon of the SAR series, each watch is equipped with a large unidirectional diving bezel with 60 minutes/120 clicks and is designed with water resistance to 300 meters. To illuminate the dial, each watch uses a combination of tritium gas tubes and MaraGlo technology. The 41mm GSAR is powered by a Swiss-made Sellita SW200-1 automatic movement, while the 41mm TSAR features a Swiss-made ETA F06.412 HeavyDrivePreciDrive quartz movement. Both watches are engraved with Jeep's seven-slot grille, located on the side of the 316L steel case, and the Willys star, located on the serrated steel crown.

Each of the stainless steel casebacks is engraved with the Jeep brand's lifestyle motto, 'Go Anywhere, Do Anything', as well as all the necessary technical information. Each watch is also engraved with the words ‘Since 1941’ to honor the two brands’ shared military history and features a unique serial number as well as a custom Jeep x Marathon signature logo. All four collaborative watches are accompanied by limited edition metallic packaging.

The Jeep x Marathon collection is available for purchase starting today exclusively at Marathonwatch.com and select authorized retailers.

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RENAULT

Company to pursue autonomous minibuses but not cars

French automaker Renault said Wednesday(15\05) it will pursue developing autonomous minibuses for public transit but would stick to driving assistance features for personal cars for the time being.

It announced it will demonstrate the readiness of the technology for public transport by running a shuttle bus service, together with its partner WeRide, at the Roland-Garros tennis tournament in Paris later this month.

Renault offers driving assistance features on many of its models that allow drivers to remove their hands from the steering wheel but they must keep their eyes on the road and be ready to take control of the car at any instant.

"Further automation of some functions, with the aim of achieving complete vehicle autonomy, seems unlikely for the time being, given current regulations, customer expectations and the cost of the complex technology involved," Renault said in a statement.

The firm said there was a huge gap in technological complexity to get to the point where drivers don't need to pay attention to the road.

"At this stage, the induced cost to be borne by customers, in relation to the driving benefits, would make demand insufficient or even anecdotal," it said.

But that cost proposition is different when applied to public transportation, and this is where Renault said it would focus.

"When it comes to public transportation, Renault Group intends to be a real player in sustainable and autonomous mobility," it said.

Renault said it is developing an electric, robotised, and pre-equipped minibus platform that will host various automation solutions from its specialist partners.

It announced a new collaboration with autonomous driving firm WeRide for large-scale commercial deployment of vehicles capable of managing driving situations on their own within a defined area. While these vehicles do not have an on-board operator they still have remote supervision.

Renault said it would show off the capability of the autonomous minibusses at the Rolland Garros tennis tournament in Paris later this month.

"As a premium partner of the tournament, Renault is innovating with WeRide by setting up a trial of electric and autonomous shuttles that will facilitate access to the Roland-Garros stadium while demonstrating the maturity of new technologies for automated public transport services," said Renault.

The minibusses will ferry visitors between a parking lot and the stadium complex.

"Renault Group... will be in a position, well before the end of this decade, to propose a highly relevant range of autonomous, low-carbon minibusses to meet the growing needs" of transportation authorities in low emissions zones, said the company's chief technology officer, Gilles Le Borgne.

© 2024 AFP

 

GM

Chevrolet uses artificial intelligence in the new generation of the 2.8L Duramax engine

In relation to automobile performance, some technologies have provided significant leaps forward, such as electronic injection. For experts, the next evolution will be the application of artificial intelligence (AI).

The feature allows systems to make decisions based on digital data to multiply the machine's ability to learn and perform complex tasks more quickly and efficiently.

Artificial intelligence and machine learning shape the innovative concept of the new S10. These resources were applied comprehensively to the product, from its conception phase to development and production.

Chevrolet's recently launched pick-up uses artificial intelligence, including in the parameterization of the new engine management software, to deliver a performance equation never seen before in the category.

“GM is a global leader in the development of utility vehicles and our legacy is based on innovation. Therefore, the new S10 can be as agile as much more powerful pick-ups, but consumes much less fuel. The application of artificial intelligence allows us to extract two other advantages: better drivability and reduced emissions”, explains Suelen Arice, Product Marketing Manager.

Calibrated with the support of artificial intelligence, the management software controls the new generation of the Duramax 2.8 engine, which works in harmony with the unprecedented 8-speed automatic transmission or the 6-speed manual transmission.

Thus, the top-of-the-line High Country version is capable of accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h in just 9.4s (1s faster than the previous model), while the average diesel consumption, according to Inmetro data, is at 9.5 km/l in the city and 11.4 km/l on the highway (up to 76 km extra range on the highway with each full tank). In the case of CO2 emissions, the reduction was approximately 13%.

The Duramax 2.8 engine itself was improved with the help of new digital engineering tools, which adopt artificial intelligence and machine learning to carry out simulated tests of different configurations and parameterizations.

In total, the new engine has more than 30 new features, such as the profile of the pistons, changes to the turbine and intake system - even the compression ratio has been adjusted to improve the combustion process.

The changes reflected an increase in power and torque, which rose, respectively, to 207 hp and 510 Nm. Furthermore, maximum strength is achieved in a wider range of rotation, between 1,600 and 2,400 rpm - precisely where the driver uses it most. the vehicle. “GM’s development team created models based on machine learning to optimize the parameters of the new S10’s engine management software. This control center is capable of processing hundreds of simulations per microsecond, also considering the condition of engine components to find the ideal calibration. This allows the maximum capacity to be extracted from the package”, says Daniel Takehana dos Santos, chief diesel engine engineer at GM.

Artificial intelligence and machine learning allow for much more precise refinement for each situation, based on driver demand.

This advanced management software considers more than 900 optimized parameters, including fuel pressure and injected quantity, turbine pressure, exhaust temperature and even natural component wear. External data such as atmospheric pressure, temperature and relative humidity are also analyzed every microsecond.

There is also a learning algorithm capable of memorizing previous conditions to optimize engine data processing during use, improving the driving experience.

Brutally more pick-up...The new S10 still differentiates itself through developments in design, comfort and connectivity, reinforcing its main strength: it is the medium pick-up that best combines work and leisure - the right option for those looking for a reliable service as well as a versatile everyday car.

The new Trailblazer, which shares the same mechanical base as the new S10, also benefits from this advanced engine management software and updates at GM's industrial complex in São José dos Campos.

The factory received investments to increase vehicle robustness and sustainability levels. It gained more sophisticated robots, a new paint oven, more work areas and quality control tools managed by artificial intelligence, including the one that checks the assembly and configuration of all vehicles on the production line.

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AUTONEWS

The true cost: Deploying electric vehicle charging infrastructure nationwide

When President Biden signed the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law in 2021, he announced a goal to install 500,000 new electric vehicle chargers across the nation by 2030. The Department of Energy's Vehicle Technologies Office has tasked the experts at Idaho National Laboratory to answer big questions surrounding this goal.

One of those questions involves determining the true cost of electric vehicle operation to ultimately enable their widespread adoption. Understanding this cost will allow the transportation sector to provide an equitable and affordable solution for all Americans.

In response, INL researchers published a report that demonstrates a model to standardize cost data for charging infrastructure. This report will help policymakers understand how much it would cost to deploy a national charging network. Amid this research, though, researchers realized their original cost model couldn't give them the answers they needed.

"We had worked on a report last year where we analyzed charger-related costs mostly with data from one charger installation service provider," said Jean Chu, an INL researcher who coauthored the paper. "Then we decided to expand upon that work and analyze costs of charging equipment more broadly."

The team quickly ran into a significant snag. The goal of the paper was to use meta-analysis and a literature review to establish the average cost of charging station infrastructure for many different applications. Meta-analysis refers to a social science technique where researchers evaluate existing literature on a topic to try to produce an aggregate figure for the phenomenon in question—in this case, the average costs associated with charging infrastructure.

However, when team members reviewed the data, they learned that different studies used different measures to report electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) costs. As a result, they couldn't reliably compile comprehensive figures.

"It was difficult to construct this complete figure because, across the data, we were comparing apples to oranges," said Torrey Lyons, the lead author of the paper. "Instead, we represented all the common figures that we found, which required some additional analysis beyond the final measures presented in our sample of studies."

Their biggest accomplishment was creating a new protocol for measuring EVSE cost figures. The paper, published in Sustainability, outlines a convention for representing these costs more consistently in future research. Their goal now is to make sure other researchers in this space learn about and embrace this convention.

Without that convention, it's impossible to adequately use years of studies to evaluate how costs have changed over time. This will be essential for ensuring charging infrastructure affordability. A lot of policy decisions will require comparative understanding of cost data, which means the data first needs to be in a consistent format. Even as this convention for measuring cost data helps researchers and policymakers, it also helps future drivers.

"Understanding the true EVSE cost is important to understanding what it will take to ensure everyone has access to charging infrastructure," said Chu. "This convention will allow us to track public investment needed for charging stations and how those investments relate to geographic and socioeconomic patterns throughout the country."

As federally funded charging stations are deployed, policymakers will need to ensure that investments are spread across the country in a manner that is fair and equitable. "If we don't know the true cost, it would be hard to understand if investment discrepancies are due to regional differences in costs or inequitable funding," said Chu.

Although team members couldn't answer their initial question with this paper, they identified a previously unknown problem and solved it. The conventional metrics that they've developed, if used properly, will allow them and others to evaluate future cost trends. This data helps ensure that as electric vehicle charging becomes more widespread, policymakers and equipment manufacturers will have the tools to make it more accessible.

Provided by Idaho National Laboratory

 

AUTONEWS

BMW and Mercedes afraid of reprisals from the Chinese

The European Union, as well as the Americans, believes that the Chinese State is illegally subsidizing Chinese vehicles, especially electric ones. Hence, an investigation is underway into the injection of state funds into brands competing for Western export markets. This measure, controversial and capable of causing great discomfort among Asian authorities, is causing some “hives” in some of the brands that potentially benefit most from it, namely BMW and Mercedes.

The strange reaction of those responsible for the 2nd and 3rd largest German groups, after Volkswagen, is due to the fact that the Chinese authorities have threatened BMW and Mercedes to prevent the sale of top of the range products from both manufacturers. in China (the 5 and 7 Series, in addition to the E and S Class), if the European Union makes it difficult for Chinese brands to enter the Old Continent. This is even if Brussels limits itself to adopting much less “radical” measures than the Chinese authorities have imposed so far on European builders who intended to sell in China.

The threats from Xi Jinping's government led BMW CEO Oliver Zipse(image above) to argue with the Union that European industry does not need “protection” in the form of tariffs. Mercedes CEO Ola Källenius also agrees, even arguing that taxes on Chinese cars should be reduced.

The European Union plans to make a decision in November, with an initial position being taken as early as July. It remains to be seen whether they will choose to defend the interests of the majority and the builders, or defend the privileges of just a few, just because they are German — the country that is the biggest contributor to the Union. Remember that these two German builders are among the least have invested in battery-powered vehicles, as they are the only Europeans that do not (yet) have models designed on specific platforms for trams or their own production (or in partnership) of batteries (cells).

Renault responded, through its CEO Luca de Meo, to this position taken by BMW and Mercedes, arguing that manufacturers should unite in certain areas to combat Chinese brands, to reduce costs in areas as varied as, for example, production of cells, given that batteries continue to be “the most expensive part” of an electric vehicle.

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AUTONEWS

Study reveals that lovers of very noisy vehicles may have signs of psychopathy and sadism

Few people have ever been surprised by particularly noisy vehicles, driven by individuals whose pleasure lies more in the roar of the engine and the consequent "rattles" of the exhaust, than in the speed, speed or exemplary behavior of the vehicle. And these types of car lovers are not exactly super sports car owners, but rather tuning fans, who seem to take some pleasure in disturbing their neighbors with the shrill noise of their engines. Well, a Canadian university published a study that associates this pleasure in abnormally noisy cars with psychopathic tendencies.

Julie Aitken Schermer is a professor of Psychology, Management and Organizational Studies at Western University in Ontario. She was walking her dog when she was also bothered by local tuning “artists”, which led her to think that it would take a very special person to feel pleasure in that type of activity. Therefore, carrying out a study with students from the university's Management course was an instant, trying to understand the reasons why only some people like noisy cars, while others abhor this practice that increases the roar of the exhaust pipe.

529 students participated in the study, of which 289 were men, 234 women and six identified themselves as “other”. The questions covered topics such as whether they “viewed their cars as an extension of themselves”, whether they “thought very noisy cars were cool” and whether they “thought about altering the exhausts of their cars to increase the noise”, with Professor Schermer crossing these answers with the results of a study called Short Dark Tetrad (SD4), which aims to detect malicious personality traits, including narcissism, psychopathy and Machiavellian instincts.

From the results of both surveys of more than half a thousand individuals, conclusions were drawn such as the existence of “a strong correlation between individuals who like to stand out through the noise of their exhaust and narcissism”. As if this were not enough, it was also clear that it was “among those most passionate about the violent exhaust noises that there were more individuals with signs of psychopathy and sadism”, as Professor Schermer told CBC.

The study was met with a certain amount of criticism from lovers of transformed cars who “scream” above what is permitted by law and who love their four-wheel “bombs” so much that they even have them tattooed on their bodies. Potentially, the members of this sample contribute to the numbers complained of by the authorities in London, interestingly the Canadian city in which the college is located, which confirm an increasing number of fines and vehicle seizures since 2020, in the order of several hundred per year.

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