Driver assistance apparatus and method

A driver assistance apparatus for installation in a motor vehicle, the apparatus comprising, a safety electronic control unit, the safety electronic control unit comprising a program storage memory having operating instructions stored thereon, the operating instructions dictating the operation of the safety electronic control unit, wherein the operating instructions contain driver assistance operating instructions, the safety electronic control unit further including:

• a verified hash storage memory storing a verified hash value of at least a portion of the operating instructions, wherein the verified hash value is encrypted on the verified hash storage memory, and wherein the verified hash value is generated by a hash function performed by a trusted source at a time of production of the operating instructions;
• the safety electronic control unit being configured to implement a verification routine, the verification routine including:
• 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 to verify that the operating instructions have not been altered, and if the test hash value is not equal to the verified hash value, performing a safety routine, and
• wherein comparing the test hash value with a verified hash value includes decrypting the verified hash value.