Self-driving Car Kit by Comma.ai

Autonomous car is one of the biggest things in recent years. Money have been dumped into R&D by automakers and tech companies to make it a reality, but so far, only one has come close to realising it and that’s Tesla. Notwithstanding the first fatality involving a Tesla car with Autopilot mode, startup Comma.ai founded by hacker George Hotz wants to be a game changer in the field of self-driving car by turning a regular car into a self-driving one, and for just under a thousand bucks. A seemingly Goliath task and it is, but George, nicknamed GeoHot, who was said to be the first person to jailbreak iPhone and Playstation 3, is undaunted.

Details of the kit is sketchy at this point, but according to a report, Hotz said the kit, which is essentially a rectangular green box that replaces the car’s rear-view mirror, has its own camera and loaded with codes to enable the car to learn how to drive itself. What’s more amazing is, the kit needs no pros to install; it is totally user-installable. With little tech details, it surely sounds more like fantasy (or a breakthrough, depending on how it goes) than a reality. I mean, a kit, which in itself sounds too good to be believable, can actually turn a car into a self-driving one, while manufacturers have spent millions to not able to perfect one, sounds pretty much sci-fi-ish, don’t you think?

Well, about that, here’s the thing: Comma.ai’s proposition is not entirely autonomous. In fact, it is very much similar to Tesla’s Autopilot mode, which means, driver still has to pay attention to the roads and be ready to intervene when necessary. That’s why it is a privilege for drivers to attend driving schools such as driving lessons Tallaght for correct guidance and enhance driving skills excellently. Also, it is able to do the whole self-driving thing for a seemingly impossible price of under a grand (plus a $24 monthly subscription for the software) is largely due to the fact that the kit leverages on existing car’s Lane Keeping Assist System suite of radar, LIDAR and cameras to function effectively.

NOW READ  Yamaha Will Be Showing Off A Prototype Hydrogen Outboard Motor

Having said that, the kit is by no means a miracle device that can turn any car into a self-driving car. For now, it will work with Acura and Honda cars, specifically, 2016/2017 ILX and 2016 Civics with Honda Sensing. It is unconfirmed if the kit will work on all Honda and Acura with Land Keeping Assist System as the company’s blog listed those as “probably” (will work) under its “supported cars.” The $999 plus subscription kit is anticipated to be available later this year, which makes it even more dreamy but apparently, it is not a dream at all. It is coming. There’s a catch though: it will be limited to Bay Area initially.

However, if you do not have faith the proven Autopilot, then you probably want to give this a miss. I’d say that Comma.ai’s self-driving car kit is reserved for ballsy folks and it will be a tech that pans the true early tech adopters from the mere early adopters. Looks like I will gladly be in the latter category. Let me know how it goes if you ever get into it.

Image: screengrab via YouTube video.

via Forbes