Security and authentication mechanisms for highly automated driving in V2X systems

Context

The safety of vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication is crucial for the safe operation of highly automated vehicle systems. In these systems, vehicles continuously exchange information in order to coordinate driving maneuvers and avoid collisions. The authenticity and integrity of V2X messages is ensured by cryptographic authentication protocols, which can, however, cause additional computational overhead and message delays. These delays can impair the responsiveness and thus the safety of driving-relevant functions.

Objectives

• Evaluation of the suitability of lightweight authentication protocols in relation to highly automated driving functions

• Investigation of the protocols in a scaled V2X test environment with small automated robot vehicles at the FZI in Berlin

• Analyzing the safety impact of the protocols while ensuring the real-time capability of critical driving functions such as emergency braking or collision avoidance

Prerequisites

• Carrying out the practical tests at the FZI branch office in Berlin

• Good knowledge of Python and the ROS2 framework

• Above-average initiative as well as a careful, conscientious and independent way of working