Comma.ai approach to autonomous driving

• Comma.ai is a startup founded by George Hotz
• Comma.ai’s approach to autonomous driving is predicated on the notion that autonomous driving “is a scam”:
  • the current approach in use by many companies isn’t economically feasible:
    • current “mainstream” approach:
      • HD maps
      • drive-by-line
      • LIDAR
    • millions of dollars have been invested into these solutions, but current iterations of this technology (as of 2020) still need humans monitoring them from within the cockpit
      • examples include Waymo and Zoox
  • Comma.ai’s approach:
    • a smartphone-like module that plugs into the car’s OBD-C port
    • module has cameras that keep the car within the road, and draws from crowdsourced driving data
    • uses AI, doesn’t rely on precise maps and lane markings
      • thinks “where would a human drive in this scenario”
    • tracks driver head movements to ensure the driver is actually paying attention
    • still needs driver-assistance, but doesn’t falsely advertise itself as “autonomous driving”
    • considered level 2 vehicle autonomy