UKRI Trustworthy Autonomous Systems Node in Security

Self-driving cars, delivery drones, and automated factory robots are vulnerable to cyberattacks that could cause physical harm, and this project builds the fundamental security science to stop that. Current security methods assume a stable, predictable environment, but autonomous systems operate in the real world where conditions shift constantly and new threats emerge without warning. The researchers are developing new technical and social approaches to security that account for this uncertainty, working with industrial designers and frontline users to ensure the solutions work in practice. If successful, the research could prevent a hacked autonomous vehicle from causing a collision, stop a compromised drone from dropping a package in the wrong location, or block an attacker from taking control of a robotic arm on a production line. The project also creates a shared test facility where the entire UK autonomous systems community can experiment with security measures. The work is fundamental science—it does not deliver a finished product—but it provides the theoretical and practical foundation needed to make autonomous systems safe enough for widespread use.