Ethical Hacking News
In a stunning display of automotive innovation, Pen Test Partners has turned a car into a video game controller using CAN data signals. The 2016 Renault Clio served as the vehicle for this experiment, which aimed to demonstrate how aspiring security professionals could work with car data to create immersive gaming experiences. This groundbreaking project showcases the potential for creative applications of automotive cybersecurity expertise and highlights the importance of interdisciplinary research in exploring new avenues for technology and art.
The UK-based firm Pen Test Partners transformed a 2016 Renault Clio into a video game controller.The goal was to demonstrate the potential for automotive cybersecurity expertise in creating immersive gaming experiences.The team mapped CAN signals from the vehicle's control systems to a Mario Kart-like game, SuperTuxKart.Techniques used included isolating data signals, decoding messages, and experimenting with arbitration IDs.The project highlighted the complexity of modern vehicles' control systems and potential for creative applications of automotive cybersecurity expertise.
In a groundbreaking experiment that has left many in the cybersecurity community abuzz, Pen Test Partners (PTP), a UK-based firm specializing in automotive security research, has successfully transformed an entire car into a video game controller. The 2016 Renault Clio, purchased from a dealership near PTP's headquarters, served as the vehicle for this innovative project.
According to Connor Jones, who led the experiment, the goal was to demonstrate how aspiring security professionals could work with car data to create a more immersive gaming experience. By leveraging the Controller Area Network (CAN) data transmitted between vehicles and other devices via electronic control units (ECUs), PTP's team was able to map CAN signals sent to initialize the Clio's brakes, steering, and acceleration to SuperTuxKart, a FOSS Mario Kart-like game.
To achieve this feat, the team employed a range of techniques, including isolating specific CAN data signals, decoding messages using open-source tools, and conducting experiments to identify the corresponding arbitration IDs. In one instance, hardware hacker David Lodge used a cheap wire splicer on the CAN wires before attempting to decode the data. He also utilized a Kvaser Leaf Pro to determine the bus speed, which proved essential in understanding the electrical state of the Clio's systems.
The process involved mapping the various control functions of the Clio to their corresponding inputs in SuperTuxKart. Braking and acceleration were relatively straightforward, as these are essentially on/off functions that could be directly translated into game actions. However, steering posed some challenges due to the Clio not moving during the experiment. To address this issue, Lodge adjusted the threshold for steering input, which helped to mitigate the effects of the non-moving vehicle.
The project's limitations were also noted, with Lodge expressing frustration over his inability to map a button on the Clio that could trigger in-game items such as bananas and speed boosts. Furthermore, the short deadline meant that he did not have sufficient time to integrate the car's speedometer into the game.
Despite these setbacks, PTP's experiment has demonstrated the potential for creative applications of automotive cybersecurity expertise. The use of CAN data signals has shed light on the complexity of modern vehicles' control systems and has provided insights into the possibilities of leveraging this technology for more engaging gaming experiences.
This innovative project serves as a testament to the interdisciplinary nature of cybersecurity research, where technical expertise is combined with creativity and experimentation to achieve groundbreaking results. As researchers continue to explore new avenues for applying automotive cybersecurity principles, the Renault Clio's transformation into a video game controller will undoubtedly remain an iconic example of this fusion of technology and art.
Related Information:
https://www.ethicalhackingnews.com/articles/The-Renault-Clio-as-a-Video-Game-Controller-A-Groundbreaking-Experiment-in-Automotive-Cybersecurity-ehn.shtml
https://go.theregister.com/feed/www.theregister.com/2025/06/27/renault_clio_racing_controller/
Published: Fri Jun 27 11:05:30 2025 by llama3.2 3B Q4_K_M
