Comma Three [video] • Hacker News Board

Re: Comma Three [video]

#11

Post by Valkhyr » Thu, Aug 05, 2021, 12:46 AM UTC

Before watching the video, I was wondering what a "Comma Three" even is (you know, to decide if I should spend time watching the video).

So I went to their website first, to find out - and I think I still don't know. Doesn't describe the product on either the top page, nor the FAQ. Looks like a GPS/Nav device with AR features - but surely that's not worth more than two grand?

I have absolutely no idea if this is a good product or not (hell, I don't even need to drive where I live), but at least their website should tell me what is the selling point.

Re: Comma Three [video]

#12

Post by [deleted] » Thu, Aug 05, 2021, 12:49 AM UTC

Valkhyr wrote: post #11

Before watching the video, I was wondering what a "Comma Three" even is (you know, to decide if I should spend time watching the video). So I went to their website first, to find out - and I think I still don't know. Doesn't describe the product on either the top page, nor the FAQ. Looks like a GPS/Nav device with AR features - but surely that's not worth more than two grand? I have absolutely no idea if this is a go…

[deleted]

Re: Comma Three [video]

#13

Post by lostsock » Thu, Aug 05, 2021, 12:51 AM UTC

Valkhyr wrote: post #11

Before watching the video, I was wondering what a "Comma Three" even is (you know, to decide if I should spend time watching the video). So I went to their website first, to find out - and I think I still don't know. Doesn't describe the product on either the top page, nor the FAQ. Looks like a GPS/Nav device with AR features - but surely that's not worth more than two grand? I have absolutely no idea if this is a go…

I agree that the website is very unclear for people who don't already know what comma do.

Their meta description is better, but still not great.

"Make driving chill. Upgrade your car with a comma three. comma is building the Android for cars. We have an open source driver assistance system that runs on most modern cars."

It's essentially an aftermarket version of the Tesla Autopilot system.

Re: Comma Three [video]

#14

Post by sen » Thu, Aug 05, 2021, 12:51 AM UTC

Valkhyr wrote: post #11

Before watching the video, I was wondering what a "Comma Three" even is (you know, to decide if I should spend time watching the video). So I went to their website first, to find out - and I think I still don't know. Doesn't describe the product on either the top page, nor the FAQ. Looks like a GPS/Nav device with AR features - but surely that's not worth more than two grand? I have absolutely no idea if this is a go…

I thought the website was pretty good at explaining it? (I don't own one or know much about it other than having heard about it a few times on HN before):

> openpilot is open source software built to improve upon the existing driver assistance in most new cars on the road today. Tesla Autopilot like functionality for your Toyota, Honda, and other top brands.

> While engaged, openpilot includes camera based driver monitoring that works both day and night to alert the driver when their eyes are not on the road ahead.

It's basically an open-source (software) version of Tesla Autopilot and the Comma is their hardware they're selling that's already set up and running the OSS.

Re: Comma Three [video]

#15

Post by pmcollins » Thu, Aug 05, 2021, 12:52 AM UTC

stephc_int13 wrote: post #10

Glad to see some genuine tech startup trying to tackle hard problems. But I think Geohot should not try to mimic some of the silicon valley tropes. The communication is OK but sometimes borderline cringy…

what’s cringey? what tropes? the guy is a maverick, and a very entertaining and informative one —- and he’s not even in silicon valley.

Re: Comma Three [video]

#16

Post by simondotau » Thu, Aug 05, 2021, 12:54 AM UTC

Ambroos wrote: post #9

Having done a Seattle > SF > LA and back roadtrip with a Comma 2 back in March/April, this looks really cool. Even with the very modest hardware of the Comma 2, it effectively takes all the stress out of highway / stay-in-lane driving. In my Audi A3, the car's ACC handles the accelerator and brakes, and openpilot handles the steering. It made the trip a whole lot more relaxing. It was also just a whole lot of fun to…

> Autopilot in a Model Y … the way it disengages completely when you make even just a small correction is really annoying.

Wait, so Autopilot disengages if you don’t apply enough torque to the steering wheel and disengages if you apply too much torque to the steering wheel? That doesn’t sound like an enjoyable autonomous driving experience.

Re: Comma Three [video]

#17

Post by Clewza313 » Thu, Aug 05, 2021, 12:55 AM UTC

Missed a real opportunity here to call it Tres Comas.

The beginning of the video complete with awkward nerd dancing in a dayglo hoodie is also pitch-perfect Silicon Valley.

Re: Comma Three [video]

#18

Post by felgueres » Thu, Aug 05, 2021, 1:02 AM UTC

What is important about comma is the culture they seem to be building.

A no frills, technology-first company that is uninterested in speculating their value.

I would bet any day on a company that doesn’t thrive by shilling, with conviction to win and sheer skills turned up to 11.

That’s the kind of folks that push civilization forward

Re: Comma Three [video]

#19

Post by Ambroos » Thu, Aug 05, 2021, 1:13 AM UTC

simondotau wrote: post #16

Ambroos wrote: post #9

Having done a Seattle > SF > LA and back roadtrip with a Comma 2 back in March/April, this looks really cool. Even with the very modest hardware of the Comma 2, it effectively takes all the stress out of highway / stay-in-lane driving. In my Audi A3, the car's ACC handles the accelerator and brakes, and openpilot handles the steering. It made the trip a whole lot more relaxing. It was also just a whole lot of fun to…

> Autopilot in a Model Y … the way it disengages completely when you make even just a small correction is really annoying. Wait, so Autopilot disengages if you don’t apply enough torque to the steering wheel and disengages if you apply too much torque to the steering wheel? That doesn’t sound like an enjoyable autonomous driving experience.

Nope, it's really not enjoyable. To me it felt like fighting the car. I much prefer the "co-pilot" style of openpilot and most other lane assistance systems. Until you can trust your assistance system enough to not want to make minor corrections, Autopilot is always going to be an annoyance.

This is fundamentally where Comma and Tesla differ in approach. Comma's goal is to build the best possible level 2 system that makes driving relaxed and comfortable, and delivering good intermediates in the process. Tesla's goal is to have full self-driving, and any releases on the road to FSD are going to be a compromise.

Re: Comma Three [video]

#20

Post by numpad0 » Thu, Aug 05, 2021, 1:16 AM UTC

Valkhyr wrote: post #11

Before watching the video, I was wondering what a "Comma Three" even is (you know, to decide if I should spend time watching the video). So I went to their website first, to find out - and I think I still don't know. Doesn't describe the product on either the top page, nor the FAQ. Looks like a GPS/Nav device with AR features - but surely that's not worth more than two grand? I have absolutely no idea if this is a go…

NHTSA shot it down when they tried to launch 1st gen kits. Since then they don’t say “DIY self driving kit” out front.