| Recurring |
multiple_organization |
(a) The software failure incident related to e-scooters being hacked to override speed-limiting software has been reported to have happened with multiple individuals offering online guides on how to manipulate the software of different popular e-scooter models like Inokim OXO Electric Scooter, Xiaomi M365 scooter, and Kaabo Electric Scooter [105035].
(b) The software failure incident of e-scooters being hacked to increase their speed has led to concerns about potential accidents and injuries on the roads. Campaigners have warned that these hacks could result in more accidents and injuries, not only for the riders but also for innocent members of the public. This indicates that the issue of hacking e-scooters to override speed limits is not limited to a single organization but is a broader concern affecting multiple organizations involved in the e-scooter industry [105035]. |
| Phase (Design/Operation) |
design, operation |
(a) The software failure incident related to the design phase can be seen in the article where electric scooter owners are offering online guides showing users how to override the devices’ speed-limiting software to reach up to 40mph. Owners can easily hack into the software and increase the top speed of popular scooters sold in the UK by removing the speed limiter [Article 105035].
(b) The software failure incident related to the operation phase is evident in the same article where users are encouraged to manipulate the battery-powered vehicles and break the law by riding at speeds higher than the legal limit. This misuse of the scooters, facilitated by hacking the software to increase speed, can lead to accidents and injuries on the roads [Article 105035]. |
| Boundary (Internal/External) |
within_system, outside_system |
(a) The software failure incident described in the articles is primarily within_system. The failure occurred due to users manipulating the speed-limiting software of electric scooters by hacking into the devices' software to increase their top speeds beyond the legal limits set by the manufacturers [105035]. This manipulation of the software by users led to safety concerns and raised the risk of accidents and injuries on the roads. The incidents of users overriding the speed-limiting software were facilitated by steps provided in online tutorials, demonstrating how to remove the speed limiters on e-scooters [105035]. |
| Nature (Human/Non-human) |
non-human_actions, human_actions |
(a) The software failure incident occurring due to non-human actions:
- The incident of electric scooter owners overriding the speed-limiting software to reach up to 40mph is a case of a software failure caused by non-human actions [Article 105035].
(b) The software failure incident occurring due to human actions:
- The act of electric scooter owners offering online guides and tutorials on how to manipulate the software to increase the speed of the scooters is a software failure incident caused by human actions [Article 105035]. |
| Dimension (Hardware/Software) |
software |
(a) The articles do not provide information about a software failure incident occurring due to contributing factors originating in hardware.
(b) The software failure incident in the articles is related to software manipulation by electric scooter owners to override the devices' speed-limiting software. Owners are offering online guides and tutorials on how to hack into the software of popular scooter models to increase their top speeds beyond the legal limits set by the manufacturers. This software manipulation is leading to safety concerns and potential accidents on the roads [105035]. |
| Objective (Malicious/Non-malicious) |
non-malicious |
(a) The software failure incident described in the articles is non-malicious. It involves electric scooter owners offering online guides and tutorials on how to override the speed-limiting software of the scooters to reach higher speeds, such as 40mph, by hacking into the software [105035]. This action is not with the intent to harm the system but rather to enhance the performance of the scooters for personal enjoyment, despite the potential risks and dangers associated with such modifications. |
| Intent (Poor/Accidental Decisions) |
poor_decisions, accidental_decisions |
(a) The intent of the software failure incident related to the e-scooters being hacked to override speed-limiting software to reach higher speeds can be categorized under poor_decisions. This is because the software was intentionally manipulated by users to bypass safety regulations and increase the speed of the scooters, leading to concerns about accidents and injuries on the roads [Article 105035].
(b) Additionally, the incident where a charity fundraiser, Barrie Howes, suffered a fatal fall from his electric scooter due to losing control while traveling down a steep hill raises questions about the ability of e-scooters to navigate at high speeds. This incident can be categorized under accidental_decisions as it highlights the unintended consequences and risks associated with using e-scooters at high speeds on public roads [Article 105035]. |
| Capability (Incompetence/Accidental) |
development_incompetence |
(a) The software failure incident related to the electric scooters being hacked to override the speed-limiting software can be attributed to development incompetence. Users were able to manipulate the software and increase the top speed of the scooters by following online guides and tutorials provided by other scooter owners [105035].
(b) The incident leading to the death of Barrie Howes while riding an electric scooter down a steep hill can be categorized as an accidental failure. Mr. Howes lost control of the scooter on a steep incline, resulting in a fatal accident despite wearing a helmet. The inquest mentioned that he was unable to drive due to eye problems and was on medication that increased the risk of bleeding in an accident, indicating that the incident was accidental in nature [105035]. |
| Duration |
permanent |
The software failure incident described in the articles is more of a permanent nature. The incident involves electric scooter owners offering online guides and tutorials on how to override the speed-limiting software of the scooters to reach higher speeds, such as 40mph, by hacking into the software [Article 105035]. This type of software manipulation is not a one-time occurrence but rather a continuous issue where owners can easily modify the software to increase the speed of the scooters beyond legal limits. |
| Behaviour |
omission, value, other |
(a) crash: The incident involving the electric scooters being hacked to override the speed-limiting software does not directly result in a system crash where the system loses state and stops performing its intended functions. Instead, the software is manipulated to increase the speed of the scooters beyond the legal limits, leading to safety concerns and potential accidents [105035].
(b) omission: The software failure incident related to the hacked electric scooters can be seen as a form of omission. The scooters' original software intended to limit the speed to 15.5mph for safety reasons. However, by overriding this limitation through hacking, the system omits its intended function of maintaining the speed within legal and safe limits, potentially endangering riders and pedestrians [105035].
(c) timing: The timing of the software failure incident is not directly related to the system performing its intended functions too late or too early. Instead, the issue lies in the system being manipulated to perform functions beyond its intended limits, specifically in terms of speed regulation [105035].
(d) value: The software failure incident does involve a failure related to the system performing its intended functions incorrectly. The original purpose of the software was to limit the speed of the electric scooters to ensure safety. However, by hacking the software to increase the speed, the system is now performing its functions incorrectly by allowing speeds up to 40mph, which poses significant risks [105035].
(e) byzantine: The software failure incident does not exhibit characteristics of a byzantine failure, where the system behaves erroneously with inconsistent responses and interactions. The manipulation of the software to increase the speed of the electric scooters is a deliberate action to override the intended limitations, rather than a scenario of inconsistent or conflicting behaviors within the system [105035].
(f) other: The behavior of the software failure incident can be described as a deliberate circumvention of safety measures through hacking. Users are actively bypassing the speed-limiting software to achieve higher speeds on electric scooters, which poses risks to both riders and pedestrians. This behavior can be categorized as a form of intentional misuse or tampering with the system's intended functions, leading to safety concerns and potential accidents [105035]. |