Mar 09, 2026
3 min read
Anyone with a free radio receiver has the ability to know data such as movement patterns, daily habits, arrival times or stays in specific places.
Tire pressure sensors in modern cars can inadvertently expose drivers to detection.This was revealed by research conducted by the IMDEA Networks Institute together with European partners.
The problem is that most modern cars have a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS).This has been mandatory in many countries since the late 2000s because it promotes road safety.
The system monitors small sensors on each wheel to monitor tire pressure and sends a wireless signal to the car's computer, alerting the driver when the tire is low.
But these devices also sent an identification number in clear, unobstructed radio signals, allowing anyone in physical proximity to pick up the signal and identify a single vehicle.Because these radio signals penetrate walls and cars, they can be picked up by traditional small, hidden radios.
Over ten weeks, the team collected more than six million messages from more than 20,000 vehicles using low-cost receivers (around $100).By combining signals from the four wheels, they were able to determine driving patterns, such as daily routines, arrival times, or persistence at certain locations.Additionally, pressure data allows us to infer the type of vehicle and whether it is carrying cargo, increasing surveillance capabilities.
A distant chance
Research has shown that signals from moving vehicles can be detected at a distance of more than 50 meters, even if the sensors are located inside buildings or in hidden places.This makes covert tracking technically possible.
"Our results show that the signals from these tire sensors can be used to track vehicles and learn their movement patterns," said Domenico Giustiniano, research professor at the IMDEA Network Institute.
"This means that a network of low-cost wireless receivers can monitor the movement of vehicles in real-world areas. This data can reveal daily processes, such as the time it takes to go to work or travel habits," he adds.
Dr. Alessio Scaling, former PhD student at IMDEA Networks and currently assistant professor at Universidad Carlos III de Madrid, emphasizes that as cars become more connected, “even safety-related sensors such as TPMS must be designed with safety in mind, because seemingly useless and harmless data can be a powerful indicator when collected on a large scale.”
Unfortunately, current vehicle cyber security regulations do not specifically cover TPMS, so they remain vulnerable.The researchers urge manufacturers and regulators to build encryption and authentication into future systems to prevent security features from becoming surveillance tools.
Tire pressure sensors in modern cars can put drivers at risk of being tracked incorrectly, according to a study conducted by IMDEA Networks Institute in collaboration with European partners.
The problem is that most modern cars have a Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS).It has been mandatory in many countries since the late 2000s because it contributes to road safety.
The system uses a small sensor in each tire to monitor the tire pressure and send a wireless message to the car's computer, notifying the driver that the tire is low.
But these devices will also send a unique identification number in a clear, unencrypted wireless signal, so anyone nearby can pick up the signal and then identify the same car.Since these radio signals travel through walls and vehicles, they can be picked up by small, hidden wireless receivers.
In ten weeks, the team collected more than six million pieces of information from more than 20,000 cars using inexpensive (around $100) receivers.By combining signals from the four wheels, they can identify patterns of movement, such as daily events, arrival times or persistence in certain areas.Based on that, the data allows us to see the type of car or whether it is under stress, expanding the field of observation.
Remote espionage
The research showed that the signals of moving cars can be picked up from a distance of more than 50 meters, even if the sensors are inside buildings or hidden.This makes covert surveillance technically possible.
"Our results show that the signals from these tire sensors can be used to track vehicles and learn their movement patterns," said Domenico Giustiniano, research professor at the IMDEA Networks Institute.
"This means that a network of wireless receivers can silently monitor the movement patterns of cars in real-time. This information can reveal daily routines, such as the time to get to work or travel routes," he adds.
Dr. Alessio Scalingi, former PhD student at IMDEA Networks and now associate professor at Carlos III University of Madrid, says that when connecting vehicles, "even safety-oriented sensors like TPMS need to be designed with safety in mind, as seemingly passive and innocuous data can become a powerful identifier when collected in large quantities," he emphasizes.
Unfortunately, current vehicle cybersecurity regulations do not specifically cover TPMS, so it remains vulnerable.Researchers have called on manufacturers and regulators to add encryption and authentication to future systems to prevent security features from turning into surveillance tools.
