Researchers at the University of Michigan have developed a vehicle security system called Battery Sleuth that aims to protect against wireless hacking and theft. The system authenticates drivers by measuring voltage fluctuations in a vehicle’s electrical system using a keypad device plugged into the auxiliary power outlet. By delivering a predetermined series of voltage fluctuations to the car’s electrical system, the system recognizes an authorized driver and allows the vehicle to start. Battery Sleuth also has defenses against hacking or physical attacks, including a siren that sounds if illegitimate activity is detected. The team plans to begin large-scale testing of the system with a new $1.2 million grant from the National Science Foundation.
https://news.umich.edu/a-surprisingly-simple-way-to-foil-car-thieves/