Electric scooters, also called e-scooters, are a popular method of transportation in big cities. They are small, portable, and can easily reach sidewalks and among pedestrians. Unfortunately, their popularity is not only affecting ordinary citizens but also hackers.
Xiaomi M365 scooters can be hacked
A study conducted last year by Zimperium, a company that makes scooters like Lime and Bird, found that individuals were able to hack into the machines and make them perform a variety of actions without the rider's knowledge.
One of the most significant studies was completed by Zimperium last year, a mobile security company, in which several Xiaomi M365 scooters were tested and it was discovered that the electronic system could be hacked.
The hacker could force the scooter to accelerate, decelerate, or stop completely at will.
The hack is done by accessing the Bluetooth used by the Xiaomi M365, which was designed to allow users to remotely lock their scooter.
This hack is worrying news for the manufacturer of the Xiaomi M365. It could be used from over 100 meters away, locking multiple scooters at once.
The Xiaomi M365 is one of the most popular models used by electric scooter rental companies around the world and in the United States.
Being able to interfere with the scooter's operation isn't the only thing hackers can do. Someone with enough technical experience can force an e-scooter to stop, disable the brakes, and then take it away. Once the hacker is in a safe location, it's possible to remove the hardware and reprogram it for personal use.
Kit for hacking an e-scooter
It sounds like a lie, but it's not. A complete e-scooter hacking kit is available online for around $48, which is nothing compared to the cost of an expensive e-scooter.
One can make the Xiaomi M365 their own without investing too much time, money, or energy into the whole process.
Of course, not all companies are worried. For Lime and Bird, the situation doesn't seem to be a problem, despite the many controversies.
First, even though these companies use the Xiaomi M365 – hacking a single scooter in the city is not as easy as it sounds. One would have to have a target in mind, figure out who is using it, and then track them until they find the right opportunity to hack and steal.
Secondly, the hacking tool kit can only be purchased online from China and on average it takes eight weeks to get to your hands.
Even if a hacker is interested in one of the scooters, it will take a long time to complete plan . Moreover, the loss of one scooter is of no importance to such huge companies.
