Hardware Podcasts

Ep 326: A DIY Pockel Cell, Funny Materials to 3D Print With, and Pwning a Nissan Leaf

Hackaday Podcast · 27 Jun 2025 · 54m · Episode 326

What this episode covers

Elliot Williams and Jenny List discuss a Nissan Leaf security hack by PC Automotive, where researchers exploited the Bluetooth infotainment system to gain remote control of vehicle functions by bypassing the gateway ECU. They also cover DIY projects including Les's homebrew Pockel cell using grown crystals and a diamond wire saw, and MIT Lincoln Lab's technique for 3D printing fused silicate glass. The episode highlights mechanical 7-segment displays, a comparison of CNC vs 3D printing workflows, and the history of satellite phones.

Most relevant to

makers and hobbyists

Topics

Mentioned

Companies
PC Automotive, MIT Lincoln Lab, Iridium
Products
Nissan Leaf
Also
Les

Related episodes from other shows

Other shows on the same ground, closest first.

  • The Amp Hour · 21m

    #397.8 - An Interview with Chris Gerlinsky

    Chris Gerlinsky, an embedded reverse engineer based on Vancouver Island, explains his work decapping chips and microprobing to extract firmware and security keys from automotive ECUs and legacy cable set-top boxes. He details the physical processes of delayering ICs using chemicals and plasma etching to expose silicon bits, and discusses how aftermarket automotive companies use these techniques to integrate non-OEM parts into closed vehicle networks. Gerlinsky also contrasts the ease of reverse-engineering older pay-TV security chips with the increasing difficulty posed by modern automotive security measures like signed code and RSA signatures.

    Debugging & failure analysisSecurity & privacy
    8 chapters

  • The Amp Hour · 1h 23m

    An Interview with Samy Kamkar

    Samy Kamkar, an independent security researcher, discusses his journey from hacking Counter-Strike and MySpace to creating hardware exploits like Roll Jam and MagSpoof. He details how he used off-the-shelf components like the Raspberry Pi, Teensy, and TI CC1101 to demonstrate vulnerabilities in drones, car key fobs, and credit card systems. Kamkar emphasizes the importance of open-source hardware and low-cost tools like the Yardstick One and Proxmark in making security research accessible, while highlighting the growing security risks of IoT devices.

    Security & privacyWireless & RF
    7 chapters

  • Unnamed Reverse Engineering Podcast · 1h 03m

    065 - Multitalented Grinch

    Hosts Alvaro Brieto and Jen discuss their recent attendance at Open Sauce and the Crowd Supply teardown conference, highlighting the community aspect of hardware reverse engineering. They review several books on security and hacking history, including 'ARM Assembly and Reverse Engineering' and 'Murdoch's Pirates', while also sharing news about past guests like David from Cyber City Circuits teaching the First Lady to solder. The episode concludes with technical discussions on CAN bus vulnerabilities in Toyota vehicles, hotel IoT security, and Alvaro's new DJI Mic recording setup for upcoming coverage at CCCamp.

    Security & privacyMaker community & events
    8 chapters

  • Embedded.fm · 1h 05m

    149: Flamethrowers Aside

    Craig Smith, author of the Car Hackers Handbook and founder of OpenGarages, discusses the technical and cultural aspects of automotive security and modification. He explains how CAN bus networks function, why they lack inherent security, and how attackers can exploit vulnerabilities in infotainment systems to gain code execution. Smith advocates for open access to vehicle data, the use of junkyard parts for safe testing, and the importance of organizations like I Am The Cavalry in bridging the gap between security researchers and traditional automakers.

    Security & privacyEmbedded firmware
    10 chapters

  • The Amp Hour · 1h 27m

    A Security Update with Michael Ossmann

    Michael Ossmann of Great Scott Gadgets joins Dave Jones and Chris Gammell to discuss recent hardware security trends, including the Jeep/Chrysler car hack and the vulnerabilities of smart TVs. The group details the distribution of the HackRF Radio Badge at the Chaos Communications Camp and Chris Gammell's plans for a future HackRF 2 embedded platform. They also cover the FCC's proposed rulemaking on software-controlled radios and introduce the NXP LPC4300 microcontroller.

    Security & privacyMicrocontrollers & dev platforms
    7 chapters

The summary, chapters and topics are generated from the episode’s audio by this directory, not written by Hackaday Podcast. The episode itself belongs to its publisher.