Car Hacks Archives

Exploring a Car’s CAN Bus Data

Gareth Branwyn is a freelance writer and the former Editorial Director of Maker Media. He is the author or editor of over a dozen books on technology, DIY, and geek culture. He is currently a contributor to Boing Boing, Wink Books, and Wink Fun. His free weekly-ish maker tips newsletter can be found at garstipsandtools.com.

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@garethb2

February 27th, 2017August 2nd, 2017

See how a car’s data logs can be accessed via a CAN bus connector and the sorts of things you can learn from it.

13 Awesome Mechanics Shop Tips

By Gareth Branwyn

Gareth Branwyn

Gareth Branwyn is a freelance writer and the former Editorial Director of Maker Media. He is the author or editor of over a dozen books on technology, DIY, and geek culture. He is currently a contributor to Boing Boing, Wink Books, and Wink Fun. His free weekly-ish maker tips newsletter can be found at garstipsandtools.com.

View more articles by Gareth Branwyn

@garethb2

January 7th, 2017

A collection of extremely useful auto mechanics (and general) shop tips.

Use Your Smartphone as Your Car Key with an NFC Lock

By Pierre Charlier

Pierre Charlier

My name is Pierre Charlier, an apprentice engineer at CITC-EuraRFID, where I’m currently learning hardware engineering applied to radio and contactless applications. Hacking is a passion for me, any kind of hacking: hardware, software but also pyrotechnics.

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June 24th, 2016June 23rd, 2016

Adding an NFC unlocker to your car allows you to open your vehicle with your phone, or an NFC ring.

7 Vans Converted into Tiny Homes on Wheels

By Jeremy S Cook

Jeremy S Cook

Jeremy is an engineer with 10 years experience at his full-time profession, and has a BSME from Clemson University. Outside of work he’s an avid maker and experimenter, building anything that comes into his mind!

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June 17th, 2016June 25th, 2017

If the stationary life is getting you down, here are 7 van conversions to help inspire you to get on the open road.

Hack Your Car’s Dashboard to Display Reddit Shower Thoughts

By Jeremy S Cook

Jeremy S Cook

Jeremy is an engineer with 10 years experience at his full-time profession, and has a BSME from Clemson University. Outside of work he’s an avid maker and experimenter, building anything that comes into his mind!

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June 14th, 2016June 13th, 2016

Harin De Mel could have hacked his car to display something “useful”, but where’s the challenge in that? Shower thoughts, it is!

Car Hacking 101: Tools of the Trade

By Craig Smith

Craig Smith

Craig Smith runs Theia Labs, a research firm that focuses on security auditing and building hardware and software prototypes. He has worked for several auto manufacturers and provided them with his public research.

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April 8th, 2016April 6th, 2016

The Car Hacker’s Handbook by Craig Smith is a great resource for hacking the software and embedded computer systems in cars.