connected cars

The Trump administration is moving to roll back US fuel economy standards, easing emissions and efficiency requirements for automakers. The policy shift is being reported alongside growing concern over cybersecurity in connected vehicles, as cars become increasingly software-dependent and vulnerable to hacking. The rollback is likely to reignite debate between industry groups welcoming looser rules and environmental advocates warning of higher emissions and fuel consumption.

A new study has uncovered security weaknesses in next-generation vehicle technology, raising concerns about the safety of connected and increasingly software-driven cars. As vehicles rely more on networked systems for navigation, communication and control, researchers warn that these vulnerabilities could expose drivers to potential exploitation. The findings add to a growing debate about whether the automotive industry is moving fast enough to secure modern vehicles against cyber threats.

Consumer advocates are arguing that Australian consumer group CHOICE should test cars not just for performance but for connectivity — what data vehicles capture, where it is sent, and to whom. The discussion cites findings that all connected cars tested contacted their manufacturer's servers, raising questions about how much driving and personal data automakers collect and share.

IEEE Spectrum reports on an all-electric car that, according to the outlet, never needs to be plugged in. The claim points to charging without a physical cable connection, a topic drawing attention in the auto industry as electric vehicle adoption grows and charging convenience remains a key concern for buyers.

Apple accessory maker Twelve South has introduced the AirFly Drive, its first adapter that adds wireless CarPlay to vehicles. The device lets iPhone users connect to their car's infotainment system without a cable, and it also supports Android Audio, making it usable with Android phones as well. The release adds another option to a growing market of wireless CarPlay adapters from third-party manufacturers.

Tech workers in San Francisco connected ChatGPT to a Toyota Corolla and had it navigate a parking lot using an off-the-shelf language model with no prior driving training. Only one model managed to complete the course. The experiment is drawing attention for showing both the potential and the limits of using general-purpose AI for real-world control tasks.

Former racing driver Dani Clos says connecting the engine wiring harness to the car body correctly is key in automotive work. Writing in Spanish, he explains that mechanics can either start from scratch or integrate the original wiring, arguing that professional integration guarantees better value, a clean finish, and a functional, simplified car.

Australia's peak electric vehicle body argues the current controversy over connected-car data collection unfairly singles out EVs, when conventional vehicles with internet connectivity gather similar driver and location information. The comments come amid growing debate in Australia over what data cars collect and who can access it, with the industry group pushing back against what it sees as a double standard applied to electric models.

A growing warning says the most invasive device people own may be the car parked in their driveway. Modern vehicles collect large amounts of personal data, including location history, driving behavior, and even in-cabin activity, often sharing it with insurers, data brokers, and manufacturers. Privacy advocates argue cars track more than phones, and drivers are urging others to check what data their vehicles gather and how to limit it.

A Grand Forks man arrested last Wednesday in connection with a car crash is now facing 12 charges, and attempted murder remains among them. The expanded charge list suggests prosecutors filed additional counts after reviewing the incident. The crash and the severity of the allegations have drawn local attention in the Grand Forks, North Dakota area.