NHTSA probes Comma self-driving kit after five crashes kill three
This digest was compiled by AI from multiple sources — links to the originals are below.
The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration opened an investigation into Comma's aftermarket self-driving kit after five crashes involving the device killed three people. The agency will examine system performance and safeguards in vehicles equipped with Comma devices.
Key Facts
- NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation is aware of five crashes involving Comma three, Comma 3X, Comma four, and Openpilot.
- Two of the five crashes resulted in three deaths, including one where a vehicle struck a first responder's vehicle.
- Comma's device supports over 350 vehicle models from 27 automakers and has more than 30,000 drivers using Openpilot.
- Comma was founded by George Hotz, known for jailbreaking Apple's iOS and the PlayStation 3.
Investigation Scope
NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation launched the probe after identifying five incidents involving Comma three, Comma 3X, Comma four, and Openpilot. In some cases, vehicles reportedly struck stopped or slowly moving vehicles within the same travel lane. The investigation will obtain data to verify system status for each incident and evaluate system performance and safeguards.
Device and Adoption
Comma's aftermarket kit pairs a small camera mounted near the rear-view mirror with a wiring harness that plugs into the vehicle's OBD port. The open-source Openpilot software enables autonomous lane centering, adaptive cruise control, and automatic lane changing. The system supports more than 350 vehicle models from 27 automakers, with over 30,000 drivers and 402 million miles driven.
Safety Concerns
One incident involved a vehicle using Comma products striking a first responder's vehicle, resulting in three deaths. A TechRadar reviewer reported feeling uneasy about community-written software controlling his Ford F-150 Lightning and noted lane ping-ponging.
1 source
Time · lag behind first