NHTSA investigating deaths/injuries linked to comma.ai driving system
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has opened an investigation into comma.ai after receiving notice of five crashes resulting in three deaths and injuries to 11 other individuals.
Vehicles equipped with devices manufactured by comma.ai were involved in crashes that occurred under similar circumstances, a NHTSA document states. The vehicles reportedly struck stopped or slowly moving vehicles within the same travel lane. The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) determined that the comma.ai systems were powered on or engaged in the crashes.
Preliminary data reviewed by ODI suggests that the comma systems may not have adequately detected or responded to the in-lane vehicles.
NHTSA described the devices as aftermarket accessory systems intended to augment a vehicle’s driving automation capabilities.
“The devices are sold with wire harnesses that connect to existing vehicle systems and use the device’s cameras alongside stock vehicle sensors as a basis to provide sustained automated control of speed and vehicle heading with options for other enhanced features enabled by software loaded onto the devices,” NHTSA says. “The devices are sold directly to consumers, and the company’s provided setup instructions are intended for consumer installation.”
NHTSA notes the company advertises that a consumer can set the equipment up within 15 minutes. It adds that the product is marketed as “hands-free driving for the car you already have.”
comma.ai uses the software openpilot, which it developed to operate on devices, NHTSA states. It adds that the software is described as “an open source advanced driver assistance system that works on 325+ car models” that “can drive for hours without intervention.”
NHTSA says the company’s website states that “openpilot requires the driver to be alert, pay attention and be ready to take over at all times.”
ODI plans to obtain data to verify system status for each incident and evaluate system performance and safeguards intended to ensure safe operation of vehicles equipped with comma.ai devices. It also will investigate the extent to which the modified software based on openpilot is involved in a crash or other incident.
NHTSA estimates the comma.ai population at 30,000.
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