US Lab Probes Security Risks in Chinese Lidar for Autonomous Vehicles
The Idaho National Laboratory, a Department of Energy facility, is investigating whether Chinese-made lidar sensors could pose cybersecurity risks if widely deployed in US vehicles. The review is reportedly funded by companies in the electric and autonomous vehicle industry, amid growing concerns about potential espionage and national security threats from the technology.
What happened
The Idaho National Laboratory, a Department of Energy facility, is investigating whether Chinese-made lidar sensors could pose cybersecurity risks if widely deployed in US vehicles.
The review is being funded by a company or group of companies in the electric and autonomous vehicle industries, though the specific companies involved have not been publicly identified.
Reported impact
Lawmakers have expressed concerns that Chinese lidar technology could be used for military or industrial espionage, with Senator Tammy Baldwin stating that 'the threat Chinese LiDAR technology poses to American communities and our national security cannot be allowed to go unchecked.'
Congressman John Moolenaar has raised concerns about potential 'back doors' in the technology that could transmit information to Chinese companies.
Index analysis
Lidar sensors use laser pulses to measure distances and create detailed 3D maps of their surroundings, and the technology is widely used by companies developing self-driving vehicles.
Chinese lidar suppliers have dramatically reduced costs in recent years, with sensors that once cost tens of thousands of dollars now costing just a few hundred dollars, making the technology increasingly attractive to American automakers.
Governance controls
The Idaho National Laboratory declined to publicly discuss the review with reporters, stating that 'this isn't a project that we're at liberty to discuss with reporters.'
Multiple bills have been drafted by lawmakers to potentially restrict or ban the use of Chinese lidar sensors on American roads.
Classification
Sources and evidence
This record was researched and written by the Index, based on the following original reporting.