Hackers take over cars and drive them with Nintendo controllers

What do laptops, software and an old Nintendo Entertainment System gamepad have in common? Only the ability, if combined to override a car and render the driver without any control.

A pair of security experts demonstrated to the BBC that ordinary cars can be hacked with their self-written software. Researchers Charlie Miller and Chris Valasek hacked a 2010 Ford Escape and Toyota Prius by plugging into the vehicle’s electronic units through a diagnostics port.

Their self-written software from there on overrode commands given to the car by a driver, including acceleration, braking and steering. With this software gauges were also manipulated to show incorrect speeds and fuel counts.

Toyota however insists that it isn’t considered a hack, since the hardware had to be connected to the vehicle it doesn’t qualify as a hack.

"The presence of a laptop or other device connected to the [on board diagnostics port] would be apparent," the spokesman said.

Miller and Valasek however, say that it isn’t the point as the cars don’t appear to acknowledge from where the commands are being sent. They also said that they wrecked a few cars during the testing and revision of their software.

The duo plans to release their findings to the public because "if you're just relying on the fact people aren't talking about the problem to stay safe, you're not really dealing with the problem.".