Fooling a Mercedes Into Autonomous Driving With a Soda Can

Posted by Soulskill on Friday August 1, 2014 @07:30AM from the most-dangerous-nap-you'll-ever-take dept.

New submitter Petrut Malaescu writes: Last year Mercedes introduced an intelligent Lane Assist system to its S-class, which is cataloged as a Level 1 "Function-specific Automation" system. In other words, hands and feet must always be on the controls. But a clever driver discovered that all it takes to keep the car in Lane Assist mode is a soda can taped to the steering wheel. It's enough to trigger the steering wheel sensor that's supposed to detect the driver's hands. Obviously, it's not a good idea to try this on a busy highway.

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This isn't new by Anonymous Coward · 2014-08-01 07:40 · Score: 5, Funny

Ferris Bueller tricked a car into "autonomous" mode by putting a cement block on the accelerator--a sensor that is used to detect the pressure from a foot.
Sensors can be deliberately fooled with inanimate objects. News at 11.