California always seems at the ‘crest of the wave’ when it comes to new developments, especially in car culture. So-Cal the birthplace of hot rods,’Big Daddy’ Ed Roth, and Barris Kustoms. But in the conventional car scene, California was also the first state to adopt ‘mandatory-use’ safety belt laws for drivers and passengers, and it has stricter emissions standards than all other states.
Nothing looks uglier, or spoils the aerodynamics of modern cars, worse than a big flat license plate on the front bumper of a car. Back in the days of chrome bumpers, a license plate had zero impact on appearance, but on a modern car, they just don’t fit. So in response, California cars are now authorized to use of adhesive sticker-like license plates on passenger cars. These stickers follow the shape of the bumper, maintain the appearance of the vehicle, and do not disturb the aerodynamic efficiency of the vehicle’s design. Also, stickers don’t fall off in the event of a front end collision.
The California legislature has also approved the use of digital license pates, but this one might just be a step too far! The company that introduced the digital plates, REVIVER, has already gotten terrible media attention when “white-hat hackers” found vulnerabilities in the plate’s programming, which allowed them to access the vehicles GPS, follow its location, and access information of the user including their physical home address, phone number, and email address. For car thieves it’s like a dream come true!
The appeal of digital license are that they’ll potentially save states and provinces money, since drivers have to purchase them, meaning fewer metal plates will have to be made. To the driver, a digital plate gives them the opportunity to customize the slogan at the bottom of the plate, and theoretically display additional information (like time left on a parking meter).
On the other hand, hackers who ‘jailbreak’ these digital plates can change the plate number, allowing unscrupulous drivers to avoid automatic speed camera tickets or highway tolls. In fact, one could theoretically put another cars plate number on display, and send the tickets to them!
Interesting!
Imagine how well an electronic plate would work in the -40C of Manitoba!
😬😬😬
As you noted, another IOT to be hacked.
Some things don’t need to be re-invented. This one is just ripe for abuse.
E-ink license plates sound like a terrible idea. I had no idea they were integrated into the electronics of the car. That makes them an even worse idea.
Remember Doc Brown’s license plate in ‘Back to the Future: Part II’ where is just like a silver bar code? I think a future plate like that would be cool. Electronic plates are just asking for abuse.
And you certainly don’t want anyone hacking THAT car!
Nope. If you’re not careful, you could be erased…from existence!
Great Scott!