I work in AI for general usage applications.
I think that there's some valid criticism here, although I don't think the target demographic is kept well in mind when considering the project as a whole.
In the current iteration, a majority of commercial market consumers wouldn't be skilled enough to perform the installation properly, or at the least, adequately to achieve acceptable system performance. I think that the barrier to entry is just high enough to keep Cousin Vinny from sleeping in the back of his cab while his "self driving truck" got him from A to B.
I've personally purchased a vehicle with the explicit reason to install OP after learning of Comma back in 2015. It's been one of the funnest, and most rewarding personal projects I've taken on.
I never drive with my hands far from the wheel, or my eyes off the road. While there is certainly going to be some hyperbole surrounding new technology, my assessment is that this alpha quality, DIY solution has been adequate for my use cases over the last 2,000 miles in various weather and road conditions.
I think that the comments here about loss of life and limb are overblown. If someone engages in sex and uploads the video publicly to PH while mowing down a pedestrian in the process in their "Tesla", I think that speaks more of the driver than it does the technology. One could argue that the tech enabled them to do so, but so what? See footnote: Gun Control Debate.
I think what Comma is doing is rather smart as a company. Keep the barrier to entry high which naturally attracts skilled, and otherwise knowledgeable people, build out their codebase, and eventually release (or lease) their tech to car manufacturers that need help catching up in the marketplace. I don't really see another way a scrappy startup could accomplish as much in the self driving market without some risk.
I don't really lift weights, but I've disassembled my vehicle's EPS motor. I think I have a fair chance of overpowering it, even if the controller doesn't include "deterministic, real RTOS" or whatever flabblebabble. Commercial release? Sure. #shipit
But for now, I'd be more concerned about people staring at their crotch while driving browsing Instagram.