Author Explores Cybersecurity Risks of Driverless Cars

Summary

Former New York City Traffic Commissioner Sam Schwartz discusses his new novel Auto Kill and the real-world cybersecurity risks of autonomous vehicles. He warns that autonomous vehicles are hackable computers on wheels and that bad actors could use them as weapons, but also says companies are spending on cybersecurity and law enforcement is starting to prepare. Schwartz sees Waymo as the safety leader while calling for greater data transparency and caution around dense urban deployment.

• Sam Schwartz warns autonomous vehicles are computers on wheels and can be hacked.
• He describes a known threat where bad actors could use AVs for vehicle ramming or IED delivery.
• Companies are spending on cybersecurity and law enforcement is running tabletop exercises.
• Schwartz calls Waymo the AV leader, citing fewer crashes versus professional drivers.
• He calls for AV companies to share all safety data before entering cities.
• He argues AV deployment will focus on dense, high-money urban areas rather than rural areas.