Keeping up with the ever-changing world of technology and innovation is no easy task. Here are some of the interesting developments that grabbed my attention this week.

What You Need To Know

  • France is on guard for cyberattacks during the Summer Olympics

  • A Waymo self-driving car was pulled over by police for allegedly driving in the wrong lane

  • A robotic dog was used for a campaign aimed at raising awareness of the risks of hot cars for pets

Cybersecurity risks at Paris Olympics

The world’s best athletes aren’t the only ones bringing their A-game to Paris. French cybersecurity experts are watching for cyberattacks.

The head of ANSSI, France’s national cybersecurity agency, says the threats targeting the Games are unprecedented. Potential targets include infrastructure, transport networks and businesses such as travel, hospitality, ticketing and sports betting.

“In 2018, there was a massive cyberattack against the Olympic Games that shut off communications, Wi-Fi networks were down, and the official website was down as well,” said Jon Sternstein, founder of Stern Security, a cybersecurity firm based in North Carolina. “The people helping run the Games have a big undertaking.”

The Japanese company in charge of cybersecurity at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021 reported 450 million cyberattacks during the event.

Phoenix police officer pulls over driverless car

It looks like there’s still a way to go when it comes to autonomous vehicles.

A police officer in Phoenix recently pulled over an SUV that witnesses reported was driving into oncoming traffic. Turns out it was a driverless Waymo vehicle, which is designed to pull over when it senses emergency lights and sirens.

The officer’s body camera captures him talking to a Waymo employee through the car’s system. In a statement, the company blamed “inconsistent construction signage” for causing the SUV to move into the wrong lane.

The situation was resolved without any tickets. Police records indicated they were “unable to issue a citation to a computer.”

Hot car safety campaign features robot dog

The Musti Group, a leading pet care company in Northern Europe, launched a campaign showcasing a robot dog to remind people of the dangers of leaving pets in a hot car. It features a custom-made robotic dog that simulates the symptoms of heat stroke.

Placed inside cars in supermarkets, parking lots and other locations around Finland, the robotic dog’s movements were triggered by the temperature. While people who walked by may have believed they saw something concerning, no dogs were harmed in the process.

“When it comes to recognizing dangerous situations, real-life experience is the best form of education,” said Eveliina Rantahalvari, the company’s head of marketing. “By creating a tangible, cautionary example that people witness with their own eyes, we hope to increase awareness of how and when to act in these situations.”