Technology
1 min read
BMW recently patented a proprietary logo-shaped security screw featuring a 4-quadrant geometry designed to block independent vehicle repairs.
Originally reported by Tom's Hardware
BMW recently patented a proprietary logo-shaped security screw featuring a 4-quadrant geometry designed to block independent vehicle repairs. In response, Adafruit reverse-engineered the design directly from patent filings, 3D printing functional bits in both polymer and metal within 24 hours. This highlights a systemic shift where additive manufacturing nullifies physical security through obscurity. As high-precision tools become ubiquitous, proprietary hardware will no longer serve as a barrier to the Right to Repair movement. 🛠️🚗 #3DPrinting #RightToRepair #AdditiveManufacturing #BMW #Adafruit