Comma.ai Bypasses NHTSA, Releases Self-Driving Technology to the Public

George Hotz has revived his Comma One self-driving technology project — sort of — after the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration shut down the commercial launch of his product earlier this year. Today, Hotz announced he would release the hardware schematics and code for the project for free to the public, targeting hobbyists and researchers.

The code is already up on the Comma.ai github repository, along with a detailed guide and schematics on how to assemble the hardware. Making the project open source and releasing it for free might get NHTSA off his back, so the only question now is how to monetize it in the future.

According to details posted on the repository, the hardware platform will be called neo and based on the OnePlus 3 smartphone with a STM32F205 CAN interface board attached. The rest of the package includes 3D printed case, along with some cooling components and cabling. The final product appears to be similar to what was shown at TechCruch SF and appears to match our hypothesis from September.

All of the hardware can be purchased from six online vendors, carrying an estimated cost of around $700. The list of components is very detailed and includes schematics for assembly, along with CSV files that can be uploaded to the vendors for easy purchase. The STL files included in the cases can be uploaded for use on your own 3D printer or the 3D printing vendor of your choice. All of this is capped off by a very detailed step-by-step guide on how to assemble the final product.

The neo is released under the MIT license and only carries one warning, loudly stating, “THIS IS ALPHA QUALITY SOFTWARE FOR RESEARCH PURPOSES ONLY. THIS IS NOT A PRODUCT. YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR COMPLYING WITH LOCAL LAWS AND REGULATIONS. NO WARRANTY EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED”.

The software portion of the project is called OpenPilot and is described as an open source driving agent that runs on the neo research platform, offering Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) and Lane Keeping Assist System (LKAS) for Hondas and Acuras. Right now, the only supported vehicles are the 2016 Acura ILX with AcuraWatch Plus and 2016 Honda Civic Touring. The only limitations are a 25 mile-per-hour threshold for the ILX (the use of cruise control for the throttle and steering is disabled below 18 mph) due to a limitation in the steering firmware.

The Honda CR-V Touring uses similar hardware as the supported vehicles, so it is offered as a potential next step in vehicle support. The notes recommend sniffing the CAN bus while LKAS is running in order to pick up the message ID for the steering system. That’s the only message described as being different from the Civic and ILX. Implementing the project on other cars is described as possible but more challenging.

The device will continue to use the Chffr app for data collection just as it did for the Comma One. Beta and data will be collected in order to improve the software models and improve the platform for all users. Although the OnePlus 3 model has dual cameras, the user facing camera and microphone will not record any data.

. @comma_ai‘s George Hotz at his garage, saying he wants to work w/ aftermarket manufacturers on self-driving car tech pic.twitter.com/5HUPqLUS4G

— Tim Higgins (@timkhiggins) November 30, 2016

Hotz may have outsmarted NHTSA to get his product out to testers and researchers, but the question now is how it can be monetized. The MIT license will allow other companies to use the code for their products if they deem it fit, without having to include Hotz in the equation (so commercial licensing is not an option). The most likely scenario seems to be one where Hotz uses the collected data to build his own next-generation product, followed by the scenario where he just sells all the data to another aftermarket manufacturer. This project has taken an exciting turn and I look forward to seeing how it develops.

Image Credit: [ Comma.Ai]