Hackaday Podcast Ep 326: A DIY Pockel Cell, Funny Materials to 3D Print With, and Pwning a Nissan Leaf
Jun 27, 2025
This week dives into impressive DIY projects, including a home-made Pockels cell light valve. Explore the fascinating world of 3D printing with innovative materials, and get insights into vulnerabilities in the Nissan Leaf’s cybersecurity. The hosts celebrate quirky winners from a recent pet hacks contest and introduce a new challenge that encourages creativity. Other topics include a look at the history of satellite phones and engaging with automotive sound quizzes, all while battling summer heat and noisy fans!
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Car Network Vulnerabilities
- Modern cars are complex networks of computers that can be remotely hijacked through infotainment systems.
- Security gateways exist but dedicated hackers can bypass them to gain full control of vehicle functions.
Hire Car Data Left Behind
- Jenny List found hire car infotainment systems often retain previous users' data, like phone info and toll payment setups.
- One hire car was unknowingly paying a company's motorway tolls, raising concerns about data privacy.
3D Printing vs CNC Costs
- CNC machining often costs less material-wise but requires more human labor compared to 3D printing.
- 3D printing excels for complex or internal geometries with easier setup and less operator intervention.