NHTSA Investigates Comma Devices After 5 Crashes

The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is investigating crashes reportedly involving Comma driver-assistance devices. The agency’s Office of Defects Investigation says it is aware of five incidents involving Comma three, Comma 3X, Comma four and Openpilot.

In some cases, vehicles reportedly struck stopped or slowly moving vehicles in the same lane. One reported incident involved a vehicle using comma.ai products striking a first responder’s vehicle; the resulting crash killed three people, according to the source.

The investigation will gather data to verify the system status in each incident and assess system performance and safeguards intended to support safe operation of vehicles equipped with Comma devices.

Comma sells aftermarket equipment that it says can add driving features to more than 350 vehicle models from 27 automakers. Its setup pairs a camera mounted near the rear-view camera with a wiring harness connected to a compatible vehicle’s onboard diagnostics (OBD) port. The company offers Openpilot software for specific makes and models.

According to Comma, more than 30,000 drivers use Openpilot, and the software has been used over 402 million miles (650 million km). Comma’s homepage advertises “hands-free driving for the car you already have.” The source article says it found no clear mention there that drivers must remain in control.