Robot vacuum cleaners are so innocuous, many people treat them almost like pets. But they're also potential portals into our private life. Story Lab journalist, Julian Fell, learns how to hack a robot vacuum cleaner and uncovers some disturbing facts about the security of connected household appliances.
Also, acts of aggression and abuse committed in virtual reality environments. So-called "metacrimes" may be cyber in nature, but they can feel very real and have physical world consequences.
Guests
Dr Milind Tiwari – Postdoctoral research fellow, Charles Sturt University
Dennis Giese – independent security researcher
Sean Kelly – robot vacuum owner
Daniel Swenson – US-based victim of robot vacuum hack
Donald Dansereau – senior lecturer, Australian Centre for Robotics, University of Sydney
Yong Zhi Lim – former cybersecurity tester, TUV SUD
Further information
ABC News - Hackers take control of robot vacuums in multiple cities, yell racial slurs
ABC News - We hacked a robot vacuum — and could watch live through its camera
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Uncover some disturbing facts about the security of connected household appliances like robotic vacuum cleaner