Michigan may boost penalties for hacking self-driving cars

October 20, 2016-- The state known as the traditional home of the auto industry is preparing to handle one of the dark sides of the coming self-driving car revolution.

The Michigan Senate unanimously passed a pair of bills Thursday that would increase the penalties for interfering with the computer systems of autonomous, or self-driving, vehicles.

Currently, there is a 10-year sentence and $50,000 fine for anyone who tampers with the computer system of a driverless vehicle that results in injury. The new bill would increase the penalty to life in prison if the interference with the computer system resulted in death.

The law wouldn't apply to auto manufacturers or licensed mechanics who are servicing the car. If it's found that the tampering could be or was reversed without any injury to the car's owner could be subject to a misdemeanor charge carrying a 93-day jail sentence and a maximum fine of $500.

The legislation comes amid concern that cars with advanced computer systems are susceptible to hacking.

In August, a pair of automotive cybersecurity, Charlie Miller and Chris Valasek, showed they could plug into a car's computer brain to control its brakes and steering.

In 2015, they accomplished roughly the same task remotely, driving a 2014 Jeep Cherokee into a ditch as a hapless reporter, who was in on the demonstration, sat behind the wheel. The Jeep's maker, Fiat Chrysler, plugged the holes that allowed the hackers to get in and other automakers say they are being vigilant on the issue.

The issue becomes all the more important as cars become self driving, since occupants won't be able to react as fast.

On Wednesday, Tesla Motors CEO Elon Musk announced that the electric-car maker will be installing all the hardware needed to make its electric cars fully capable of driving themselves. Musk says he hopes to demonstrate the capability next year on a long, cross-country drive.