Hackers expose the frailty of robots

In 2017, Lucas Apa and Cesar Cerrudo, security researchers at the consulting firm IOActive, showed that the version 2.5.5 of Pepper could be pirated via its software because of the vulnerabilities discovered when connecting to a network. They demonstrated that the robot could be controlled remotely, its manipulated members and its cameras used to spy on users.

Yet, more than a year later, SoftBank did not correct the software, according to an analysis of its change logs by Mr. Apa. He told the FT that the Japanese conglomerate had told him he could not solve the problem.

He said: “We were very disappointed with this response, but we understand that with any new technology, it is very difficult for manufacturers to get the attention or investment they need.”

Hackers expose the frailty of robots

SoftBank says that users have been asked to maintain the security of the Wi-Fi network and to correctly set the robot’s passwords. “We will continue to improve our security measures on Pepper so that we can deal with all the risks we may face,” says the company.

Pepper is one of many robots tested by Mr. Apa and Mr. Cerrudo last year. They discovered that other software, including those made by UBTech Robotics, Robotics, Universal Robots, Rethink Robotics and Asratec Corp, could also be hacked.

The case was also raised by Bundesnetzagentur, the telecommunications watchdog in Germany, which last year asked parents to destroy talking dolls called Cayla, as hackers could use an unsecured Bluetooth device to reveal personal data.

Cases of robotic piracy are rare – in part because autonomous machines still have to be widely deployed outside controlled areas such as factories, where they are connected to local networks. However, as robots become more powerful, concerns about weak security standards and their weaponry have increased.

Read more: latest news on robots