Abstract: A driver assistance apparatus and method for a driver assistance apparatus for verifying the safe operation of the apparatus. It is important to verify that operating instructions that dictate the operation of a driver assistance system are verified. The apparatus includes a safety electronic control unit and the safety electronic control unit includes operating instructions stored thereon that dictate the operation of the safety electronic control unit. The safety electronic control unit further includes a verified hash storage for storing a verified hash value of at least a portion of the operating instructions. The safety electronic control unit is configured to implement a verification routine, which includes calculating, using a hash function, a test hash value of the at least a portion of the operating instructions; comparing the test hash value with the verified hash value, and if the test hash value is not equal to the verified hash value, performing a safety routine.

Abstract: A method of securing operating instructions for a driver assistance system of a motor vehicle. The method including: a) implementing a distributed blockchain including a plurality of blocks, a copy of the blockchain being stored on each of a plurality of nodes. Wherein, each block includes a different version of the operating instructions. b) performing a verification routine including checking that the copies of the blockchain are identical. And, where a fault copy of the blockchain is not identical, flagging the fault copy as insecure. And preventing use of the fault copy, thus preventing installation of the operating instructions comprised in the blocks of the fault copy.

Abstract: A driver assistance apparatus and method for a driver assistance apparatus for verifying the safe operation of the apparatus. It is important to verify that operating instructions that dictate the operation of a driver assistance system are verified. The apparatus includes a safety electronic control unit and the safety electronic control unit includes operating instructions stored thereon that dictate the operation of the safety electronic control unit. The safety electronic control unit further includes a verified hash storage for storing a verified hash value of at least a portion of the operating instructions. The safety electronic control unit is configured to implement a verification routine, which includes calculating, using a hash function, a test hash value of the at least a portion of the operating instructions; comparing the test hash value with the verified hash value, and if the test hash value is not equal to the verified hash value, performing a safety routine.