US think tank warns of hidden risks in Chinese mapping tech
New report points to security gaps in Chinese-made lidar sensors used in defense and infrastructure. Think-tank suggests ban on these mapping devices in military gear and critical systems
A fresh report by the Foundation for Defense of Democracies shows how Chinese-built lidar tech might open back-doors for spying and system breaks (released Dec-2nd)
These hi-tech laser sensors which create 3d maps of their surroundings are web-connected devices that could hide bad code in their smart-chips. The report points to a real-time risk — Chinese companies must follow their governments security rules
The short-term savings from buying Chinese LIDAR sensors dont match the long-run costs of possible spying and breaking
The tech is everywhere now:
* Self-driving car systems
* Port crane controls
* Military vehicle testing
* Infrastructure management
The think-tank suggests a fix-up plan — stop using Chinese lidar in US defense stuff and team-up with friend-countries to make new supply chains. Key non-Chinese makers like Valeo‚ Luminar Technologies‚ and Aeva Technologies could step-in
The timing looks right as the Defense Department plans to put Hesai Group back on its Chinese military-linked list (from Oct-24). These laser-based tools could be turned off quick by space-based systems hitting big parts of US ground at once
The foundation wants US state leaders to block Chinese lidars use in key spots; working with allies like Germany Japan and others to build different supply routes. This tech-split comes as Chinese firms like Hesai get bigger in the global market
