Why doesn't anyone do a deal with comma.ai? They actually have a product that kind of works with just handful of people.
Edit: Why all the down votes. Go check out some of the videos. It works pretty well. Its a level 2 system so the user still needs to pay attention to the roads which is true with any lkas system out now days.
They have built a single, forward looking, camera system on an Android platform and are using python for the control system. No serious auto manufacturer would trust a system like that for vehicle safety.
It's a less reliable version of the lane keeping systems that the automotive manufacturers already have and nothing close to the autonomous system that George Hotz was promising would be easy a few years back.
I also doubt automotive manufacturers want to deal with the drama around comma.ai and its publicity given they have a reputation to maintain as serious, safety conscious, organizations.
Comma.ai has the same constraints. No monocular camera system works without careful user supervision. Even lidar based systems are not that reliable yet that you could trust them to the point of not paying attention.
As far as quality goes it's way more reliable. Most of the "advanced" driver assistance systems would kill you within a minute if you left the car to their control.
What they have now is a Devkit that is level 2, which they are using to iterate on, gather data, gather feedback, and will ultimately ship a much more complete consumer friendly product.
It's really the only option for hobbyists and enthusiasts to get self driving capabilities today without 50k+.
> As far as quality goes it's way more reliable. Most of the "advanced" driver assistance systems would kill you within a minute if you left the car to their control.
Do you have any evidence/studies for either of these statements?
> It's really the only option for hobbyists and enthusiasts to get self driving capabilities today without 50k+.
Right. It's not a serious automotive grade safety system.
Sure. Go on a highway with your stock LKAS/ACC on your Toyota/Honda/Mercedes/mostSystems and don't touch the wheel or gas/brakes, and see how long before you feel the need to intervene.
Right now everyone has a proof of concept demo and people are pouring money in. It's going to take a while and I really can't see a company like comma.ai being a serious player given their approach but maybe I'm wrong. Good luck to them, I hope nobody gets hurt.
Have you considered people using L2 systems as like an advanced cruise control?
For example, if people are going to text and drive, would you rather they have an intelligent L2 system that reliably keeps you in the lane and not crashing into the car in front of you, or just do as they are doing now?
I think there is much value in considering these systems as a better safety feature rather than fully autonomous.
It's not just about safety, but I think that the possibility of not paying attention when you need to is higher with an L2 system than standard cruise control.
Beyond safety, I think L2 accidents (which are already happening) will be VERY bad for the perception of autonomous driving in general, and will make it VERY hard on a regulatory level to get L4+ autonomous cars out on the road when they're finally ready.
Anecdotal, but still: I used to drive an Audi with a ton of advanced L2 systems (adaptive cruise control + lane assist). Both systems work from standstill to ~180km/h (well above highway speeds). While not perfect, I did use them both all the time, and the way you drive changes. You learn 'how' the systems work really fast.
The thing that changed for me while driving with both systems engaged is that my role changed from driving and continuously making small adjustments to stay centered in the lane and keeping the right distance. With the systems engaged, I was mostly monitoring that they work accurately. I don't have to bother continuously with most things, I can spend more time watching all surroundings to watch for anomalies / things the systems can't handle.
The end result for me at least felt a lot safer, and more relaxed. The systems felt very, very reliable.
That's because you were using them the right way. But a lot of people engage those systems and then pick up their phone and start texting or watching videos. Look at the guy who literally lost his head in his Tesla when it went under a truck. Records show that he was watching YouTube at the time.
The question is whether or not cars with L2 systems have a lower accident rate than cars without them. As with L4 systems, they don't need to be perfect - just better than we are.
Edit: Why all the down votes. Go check out some of the videos. It works pretty well. Its a level 2 system so the user still needs to pay attention to the roads which is true with any lkas system out now days.