DIY self-driving modifications are shaking up the automotive world, and not in a positive way. Comma AI, known for its open-source assisted driving system Openpilot, has made it possible for tech-savvy individuals to install self-driving features in their cars. For $1,000, you can buy a kit from Comma to retrofit your vehicle with sensors and cameras for self-driving capabilities.
This trend gained attention recently when a user named Mike LaBarbera shared a video of his Tesla Model Y driving autonomously with Comma’s latest hardware, Comma Four. He clarified that the software in use wasn’t Tesla’s Autopilot but a custom version called “Sunnypilot,” based on Openpilot. LaBarbera’s claim that he was no longer renting a “closed system” raised eyebrows, showing how the DIY movement is inching toward mainstream acceptance.
Not everyone is on board with this development. Cairo Smith, a writer, expressed concern, saying, “I do not think we should be letting people run any software they want on their self-driving car.” His comment highlights worries that turning vehicles into DIY self-driving machines is like playing video games on public roads, which could be dangerous. Critics share this sentiment, warning about the risks of using modified software that lacks the accountability usually associated with commercial systems like Tesla’s. One viral hot take fumed at the possibility of getting into a fatal accident because of choosing to drive “an opensource repo with 3,000 stars instead of just buying the actually good system” on a car that was originally built to support self-driving, like a Tesla.
As concerns grow, federal regulators are paying attention. The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) has opened an investigation into Comma AI following five crashes involving vehicles equipped with Openpilot. In each of the crashes, the vehicles slammed into slow-moving or stopped vehicles in their lanes, resulting in eleven injuries and three fatalities. This scrutiny now covers all 30,000 Comma hardware kits, including Comma Four.
The NHTSA’s investigation raises questions about Comma AI’s marketing tactics. While they advertise “hands-free driving for the car you already have,” the fine print warns that cars require constant supervision. This inconsistency underscores the challenges of ensuring safety when users modify or customize the software, which can significantly impact a car’s performance and safety features.
The situation becomes even more complicated when considering that some users may not use the software as intended. Tweaking and modding the software, sometimes by inexperienced individuals, introduces unpredictable variables that could jeopardize road safety. The potential for issues increases as the culture of vibe coding emerges, where users customize their self-driving software without fully grasping the implications. Barring major regulatory intervention, we may have to get used to sharing more of the road with people’s homemade robot chauffeurs.
