Hacked 3D printers could commit industrial sabotage
3D printers can churn out toys, clothing and even food. But the technology also shows potential for use in industrial sabotage, researchers warn.
Imagine a car maker using 3D printers to manufacture components, only to have the parts contain defects that are undetectable until it’s too late.
A hacker with access to the 3D printers could make that happen, a team of researchers wrote in a recent paper. This could result in a "devastating impact" for users and lead to product recalls and lawsuits, said New York University professor Nikhil Gupta, the lead author of the paper. 3D printing is also known as “additive manufacturing.” It involves printing out layer after layer of material to create an object, like a plastic figurine or even a house.
