UT Knoxville to receive $500k to research automotive cybersecurity

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — As new vehicles become even more connected to the internet, how can drivers feel safe knowing their car could be the target of a cyberattack? That seems to be a question researchers at the University of Tennessee will be working to resolve using funds from the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development.

On Thursday, the TDECD announced it would be awarding seven collaborative teams with a total of $2.9 million through the Transportation Network Growth Opportunity Initiative. The initiative was awarded $5 million through the Tennessee General Assembly during the 2023 legislative session, as well as another $2.5 million this spring as part of the state’s efforts to make Tennessee the top destination in the Southeast for automotive and mobility research and development investment.

Of the $2.9 million, The University of Tennessee is set to receive $500,000 to develop an advanced research infrastructure for controlled environment testing to improve automotive systems’ security and reliability, in response to increasing cyber threats.

The National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration explains that cybersecurity, in this context, is the “protection of automotive electronic systems, communication networks, control algorithms, software, users, and underlying data from malicious attacks, damage, unauthorized access, or manipulation.” Currently, an example of one system that the NHTSA is working to protect from a cybersecurity stand point is driver assistant technologies, such as forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and vehicle safety communications.

Some of the other research that is being funded by the Transportation Network Growth Opportunity Initiative include projects focusing on using AI to update parents, students and district staff on school bus route management in real time; using specialized sensors to enhance traffic safety while avoiding privacy concerns that may come up when cameras are used; and creating a user interface to give users real-time information on the best ways to get to work using public transportation.

In addition to the University of Tennessee, the University of Tennessee Space Institute in Tullahoma, the Williamson County Emergency Management Agency in Franklin, the University of Tennessee Chattanooga, Vanderbilt University in Clarksville, the Middle West TN Clean Fuels Coalition in Nashville, and the University of Memphis in Memphis and Chattanooga were selected to receive funds from the initiative.

“For decades, Tennessee has been leading the nation with our strong manufacturing workforce. In partnership with the General Assembly, we’ve made strategic investments to further diversify our business environment and attract research and development companies that will create more high-quality jobs,” said Gov. Bill Lee. “Our state is fortunate to have a vast network of educational institutions that are training the next generation of workers, and we want companies to know that our pro-business climate can support the entire mobility supply chain.”

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