Safety vs Security – SHIFT LEFT
History:
In 2016, a major American automotive manufacturer recalled approximately 4 million vehicles worldwide because of a software defect in the airbag sensing and diagnostic module. Under certain conditions, this defect prevented the deployment of frontal airbags and seat belt pretensioners during a crash. The manufacturer lacked the capability to deploy an OTA update to address the problem, necessitating a physical recall and in-person software updates at dealerships. This unfortunate event highlights the importance of high quality lifecycle management and over-the-air (OTA) update practices.
Why this happened:
In 2016, deploying over-the-air (OTA) updates to fix defects like those found in airbag software was difficult because OTA infrastructure was not yet widely adopted across the automotive industry.
Most vehicles at the time were built with electronic control units (ECUs) that were not designed to be remotely updated. These systems typically required a physical connection (like via OBD-II port) to flash new software.
OTA Updates:
OTA updates for safety-critical functions (like airbags, braking, or steering) were considered too risky due to the possibility of:
- Interrupted downloads (e.g., due to loss of connectivity)
- Incomplete installations
- Tampering or cyberattacks during transmission
As a result, OEMs were hesitant to allow remote updates for anything beyond infotainment or navigation systems. Secure update pipelines—with proper encryption, authentication, rollback mechanisms, and update verification—were still immature or absent in many vehicles. Deploying a remote fix for a critical safety issue also raised questions around legal liability and regulatory compliance. Physical recalls allowed for controlled conditions and documentation that regulators (like NHTSA) could verify.
How can AI help?
Could an AI platform, designed to help manufacturers SHIFT LEFT, have prevented some of these problems? We think the answer is a resounding YES:
- AI can ingest and understand evolving OTA regulations, safety standards, and internal software documentation. This helps engineers align updates with compliance requirements and avoid regulatory violations.
- OEMs can use AI to find gaps and conflicts earlier in the development process, potentially preventing catastrophes or recalls.
Join us!
We at Humaxa will be speaking about this ongoing tug-of-war between safety and security at the Home | AutoTech 2025 (https://autotechevents.com/home/) on June 4th and 5th.
Is solving this problem something on your mind? Would you like to attend? Join us (and 4,000 other industry professionals) to explore different ways to solve this problem. We’ve got a discount code just for you! “EXHIBIT30”
Carolyn Peer
CEO/Co-founder of Humaxa
Office: 1-530-676-5416
