Honda Says No to Fixing Security Bug

 Apparently Honda has disavowed fault regarding this easily addressed security problem, and say they won't fix it.   Schneier reports with further comment: 

Security Vulnerabilities in Honda’s Keyless Entry System

Honda vehicles from 2021 to 2022 are vulnerable to this attack:

On Thursday, a security researcher who goes by Kevin2600 published a technical report and videos on a vulnerability that he claims allows anyone armed with a simple hardware device to steal the code to unlock Honda vehicles. Kevin2600, who works for cybersecurity firm Star-V Lab, dubbed the attack RollingPWN.

In a phone call, Kevin2600 explained that the attack relies on a weakness that allows someone using a software defined radio—such as HackRF—to capture the code that the car owner uses to open the car, and then replay it so that the hacker can open the car as well. In some cases, he said, the attack can be performed from 30 meters (approximately 98 feet) away.

In the videos, Kevin2600 and his colleagues show how the attack works by unlocking different models of Honda cars with a device connected to a laptop ... ' 

Honda Launches Level 3 Driverless Cars in Japan

 Still saying a Level 4 car, requiring no driver, is still far off.  I think there will pockets of use where regulation is less stringent, which creates large amounts of testing and data.   Guaging demand is also a key aspect, leading to development of more use models. 

ACM TECHNEWS

Honda Launches Advanced Self-Driving Cars in Japan

By France24   March 8, 2021  in CACM

The Legend Hybrid EX.

Japanese automaker Honda has launched a limited roll-out of its new Legend, which it calls the most advanced driverless vehicle licensed for the road, in Japan.

The Legend's capabilities include adaptive driving in lanes, passing and switching lanes in certain conditions, and an emergency stop function if a driver is unresponsive to handover warnings.

The Legend's autonomy is rated Level 3 on a scale of 0 to 5; analysts said a true Level 4 vehicle, in which a car no longer requires a driver at all, is a long time off.

Experts said the Legend's limited rollout would help gauge demand for more autonomous vehicles in Japan.

GM and Microsoft Partner on Self-Driving Cars

 Quite some competition in the space.

Microsoft partners with GM to make self-driving cars a reality  By Tristan Greene, in TNW

Driverless car startup Cruise, a GM subsidiary, today announced the finalization of a two-billion dollar equity fund from primary investors Microsoft, Honda, and GM.

Leading off: Microsoft’s money is the big ticket item here for Cruise. While the company’s valuation has skyrocketed to about $20 billion from investors, netting one of big tech’s trillion-dollar whales has pushed GM stocks up nearly seven percent.

But the cash isn’t the only thing in play here. Per a Reuters report, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella says the company will provide cloud services for Cruise:  ..... '

A Look at Aibo Robot Dog Programming

Have mentioned this a number of times, we saw it demonstrated in Japan when it first came out, now more, specifically about how it can be programmed.    Note again this has been around for 20 years.    Liked the idea then , but it was hard to tell how it might be significantly programmed with more capabilities.  Good non technical look.   Will look deeper yet.

How to Program Sony's Robot Dog Aibo
We take a look at the new visual programming interface and API for Sony’s adorable robot dog   By Evan Ackerman

The Sony Aibo has been the most sophisticated home robot that you can buy for an astonishing 20 years. The first Aibo went on sale in 1999, and even though there was a dozen year-long gap between 2005’s ERS-7 and the latest ERS-1000, there was really no successful consumer robot over that intervening time that seriously challenged the Aibo .... " 

What Sounds Sit Babies Best?

Honda says it engine noises, but there are other opinions.   Seems its back to a matter of context, and the solution is still statistical.

Honda’s Sound Sitter lulls fussy children with engine noises

The company says the sounds are similar to what babies hear in the womb.
Mallory Locklear, @mallorylocklear in Engadget ... " 

Honda Smart Intersection View

Clever, we are starting to see better collaboration between people and machines.  Here a good example.  Will kind of car augmentation delay complete self-driving?  Note this is now in test, and requires the intersection to become 'smart' as well by adding infrastructure.

Honda's smart intersection tells drivers what's around the corner
This intersection sees more than you or your car can.

By Roberto Baldwin, @strngwys in Engadget

In-Car Assistants for Hyundai, Kia

More indication that the new year will feature automotive assistance, with increasing sophistication as to automotive context.   Will be testing.

Hyundai and Kia will offer AI assistants in 2019 cars
You'll see the first hints of it in early 2018.

Jon Fingas, @jonfingasin in Engadget

Hyundai and Kia both have reputations as early adopters of in-car tech, and that's truer than ever now that voice assistants are becoming a practical reality on the road. The Korean automakers have revealed that they plan to include AI assistants in their new cars starting from 2019, with every vehicle being 'connected' by 2025. As Hyundai explained, they've been working with SoundHound to create an Intelligent Personal Agent (based on Houndify) that both makes proactive suggestions (such as reminding you of a meeting) and offers remote control of both your car and your home.

This sounds a whole lot like what other voice assistants do, but the car brands are counting on support for "multiple-command recognition" as the ace up their sleeve. If you tell your car to check the weather and turn on the lights at the same time, it'll do both instead of scratching its head like so many other AI helpers.  .... " 

Index of my work on assistants.

Honda Robotics for Disaster Response

Quite an impressive piece.  An obvious place to use robotics of this type.   A number of images and videos in the article.  Honda has been known for a long time to provide advances in such extreme applications of robotics.  Applications where the nature of the problem context is chaotic.

Honda Unveils Prototype E2-DR Disaster Response Robot in IEEE Spectrum by Evan Ackerman ...

 .... At a recent IEEE robotics conference, Honda researchers discussed the latest prototype of their disaster-relief robot, called E2-DR. The new humanoid has an impressive design and broad range of capabilities. It can transition from bipedal to quadrupedal locomotion, squeeze itself through narrow spaces, climb vertical ladders, walk over rubble, and even work in the rain.   ... " 

Honda and Autonomous Driving

Does seem there has been relatively little word from Honda in this area.  This article provides considerable detail. In particular regarding levels of autonomy.   In the Verge.

Honda reveals its plans for autonomous vehicles
Level 4 automation targeted for 2025
by Sam Byford  @345triangle

Honda has been one of the more cautious automakers when it comes to self-driving cars, and a recent study put the company at 15th out of 18 in terms of overall advancement. At a media event this week, however, Honda shared more about its plans and set a target of 2025 for introducing vehicles with Level 4 autonomous driving capability.

Honda has already said that it intends to have vehicles capable of Level 3 freeway driving on the market by 2020, and is reiterating that goal today. Level 3, as defined by the Society of Automotive Engineers, refers to highly automated driving where the driver still needs to be able to take over the vehicle upon request. Level 4 automation means that the car is capable of handing most driving situations itself, whereas Level 5 is largely theoretical and covers complete automation in any condition. .... " 

Honda Robotic Chair

Saw this demonstrated in a retail setting.  The Honda Uni-Cub.  But apparently still not available for purchase.  In Engadget.    An example of a one wheeled personal transportation device, but with a seat rather than requiring upright balance. Many pictures at the sites.

Honda as a World Class Innovator

Bob Herbold uses a recent book to show how Honda is a world class innovator.  Well and simply put.

Unilever Mobile in Retail

In Mobile Marketer:  Quite an interesting experiment.  Note the scanning of the QR code and the building of a mobile database for future use.  Data mining is an obvious next step. " ... Unilever has teamed up with a Southern California grocery store chain for an in-store promotion that leverages mobile to make it easy for shoppers to track qualifying purchases and become eligible to win free concert tickets. 

The promotion is taking place inside 36 Northgate Gonzalez Markets with the goal of driving mobile engagements for brands such as Axe, Dove and Ragu, raising awareness for two non-profits and helping the retailer build a mobile database. Mobile users can text in or scan a QR code to receive personalized shopping recommendations and product information, with those spending $50 on Unilever products receiving two free tickets to a Reyli concert on May 17 at the Honda Center in Anaheim.

“We wanted to create an opportunity for Unilever and our grocery partner that could track both the spending patterns of their credit card and cash customers,” Jonas Hudson, chief operating officer at CausePlay, Manhattan Beach, CA .... ' 

Neuromarketing and SEO

Interesting claim about Search engine optimization (SEO):  " ... In the past year, Google has revolutionized the game of SEO with a series of updates known as “Penguin” and “Panda”. In the past, businesses, individuals and organizations could literally stuff their website with low quality, repetitive articles that were keyword-rich but content poor. According to Rhondalynn Korolak, author of Sales Seduction, “these new updates mean that the search results you are presented with now are much more likely to engage the part of your brain that makes decisions and takes action.” ... ' 

Robots for iPad

IEEE Spectrum has just published an publication App that surveys a number of robots and robotic applications.   This appears to be only available for the iPad systems at this time.    Whimsical at times, but some excellent examples, some of which I had not seen.  Would have liked more links to fundamental papers on the subject.  Costs $4.99    " ... Robots have long captured our imagination. Now a new iPad app will show how robots are becoming reality. Robots for iPad, a fun and engaging app featuring the world’s coolest robots, is now available in Apple’s App Store. Created by IEEE Spectrum, the award-winning technology magazine, the app lets users explore 126 robots from 19 countries, with 360-degree views, interactive animations, technical specs, and hundreds of photos, videos, and articles. 

Among the amazing robots included in the app are Honda’s famed humanoid Asimo, NASA’s Curiosity Mars rover, and Google’s self-driving car. There are also androids, drones, exoskeletons, quadrupeds, and snake robots. The app offers countless hours of exploration and entertainment to anyone interested in learning about robotics. Robot enthusiasts can review in-depth, technical data about each robot, while beginners can learn how robots work and how to get started in robotics.

Dancing humanoids, lifelike androids, and toy robots come alive on the iPad screen with the app’s interactive images. Created exclusively for the app, the interactives let users “play” with robots by spinning them 360 degrees or moving them through a variety of actions: Just by swiping the screen, a user can get the little humanoid Nao to perform tai chi or make the child robot iCub crawl back and forth. The interactives offer a unique, hands-on experience that’s possible only with the iPad. ... "

More Personal Mobility

Honda has a Segway-like, unicycle form personal mobility device called the U-3X in the works that is more remarkable looking than the Segway. No specific dates for sales.