Open Pilot Comma 2

search around, i think there might be a thread here

 

So definitive .

 

I have a Comma One that was used on our 2018 level II and then later for our non-approved Honda Clarity when custom harness and custom forks became available. Since the prius install was temp., I don't recall if I even attempted to put the plastic cosmetic cover back on.

First, let's talk the achilles heel of the system: heat. This is basically a highly upgraded phone with an extra fan and heatsinks but it is still a phone and was never intended to be left sitting on a windshield in the sun. This will light up the car like a christmas tree with errors and shutdown all those sub-systems (LKA, ACC, LDW, etc) since they are no longer getting the proper signals but, and this is very important, the car is still fully operable otherwise. Comma 2's are better in this regard but still not ready for prime-time. YMMV.

Since April-May, my system simply can not be left installed and run without major heat issues at startup and I have (especially at my wife's request) removed it entirely from the Clarity. I kept the comma mount and the GPS installed so I can relatively quickly reinstall (takes about 5 minutes) for road trips. Please check with others in your area or at least with similar climate for feedback.

Make sure the mounting allows the comma to "see" you as it does check the driver via the backwards facing camera. Note: this "feature" frequent warnings can be turned off with a not-so-secret hack in the software.

Since most of my driving is local urban routes and commai (can) work down to zero mph, I found I began using it nearly all the time (till the heat issues began). The system is advertised more for highway/interstate use which it excels at and I think this is a must have for folks with heavy traffic commutes. It just gets better and better with every upgrade.

TL;DR: Commai good, heat bad, buyer be aware. Hope Commai cracks this egg.

 

Yes, there definitely has been at least one such thread here.

Good video comparing it to Tesla Autopilot:

I think I recall somebody saying that installing it disables the automatic windshield-wiper function, if your ‘Prime has that.

 

I installed a new Comma 2 in my 2017 Prius Prime in early May. I absolutely love it! The only ding against it is the Comma 2 forum, which is their only tech support, is way too technical and geeked-up to be of value for me. I am reasonably tech-savvy but I am not a programmer; it seems like many of the forum folks are.

Installation took about 30 minutes. It truly has been refined to be as plug-and-play as possible. 5 minutes to prepare the windshield and attach the "phone", which is the forward-looking camera. Running the cable from the rear-view mirror area (the cable connects to the Toyota camera) and then tucking it in to come out down by the OBD2 connector under the driver's side console, where you plug it in.

I drove the Prius on Comma 2 all the way from Sonora to Long Beach California and it performed flawlessly. Kept up with traffic, held its lane, and performed lane changes as their website describes. I drove the 99, the 5 through the Grapevine, and then the 405 south to LB. I'm heading back down to Long Beach Tuesday and I can't wait to use it again!

It's not a Tesla autopilot by any stretch. If you are on a twisty curvy road, and are at speed, the steering motors cannot overcome the side g-forces, so you have to grab the wheel and help steer the car through the curve. You can buy a component from one of the developers to improve the steering forces, but for now I don't want to change anything. The gizmo just works. I use it just for fun around town and for stretches of country road around here.

I recommend it 100%

 

Wow what a coincidence! My next-door neighbor also has a Prius prime, color’s ...white same as mine. Keep us posted on how your installation goes. I got on the road at 5:30 this morning and arrived in Long Beach a little after 11 AM and drove 95% of the time on “auto pilot”.

 

Have you had a chance to install yours yet? I wanted to see if yours did what mine does, which I would love to see corrected: On double-yellow line roads on sweeping curves to the left, the Comma 2 has a tendency to hug the yellow lines, sometimes riding over the reflectors and even crossing slightly into the oncoming lane a few inches. It's pretty unnerving, especially when a logging trucking is barreling down the opposite direction! I would prefer a centered car, or even slightly to the right of center.

 

I'd say give it time.

Originally, mine seem to stay aligned too far to the left (left mirror too close to lane dividing lines). Although I did fuss a little with the mount, I do believe that with more use and miles it simply learned and improved. It now is centered most of the time.

I may be totally off base but I think the AI learns from each time the driver intervenes and/or adds assistance and this is why routes, commutes especially, get better and better as it learns. Even Toyota is doing this in a limited way in the Primes for better efficiency.

FWIW

 

Good going! I too wish there were more room... we played with the mounting height twice to find the sweet spot that allows the facial monitor to work, but does not block too much central forward vision through the windshield.

The Prius' raked windshield affords very little vertical height, and between the rear-view mirror and the Comma 2, we've lost a good part of central visibility. I take particular caution in parking lots when turning ... the blind spot is huge! Have fun but stay vigilant! Peter

 

I too hope it is "training itself" through my corrections, but I have no way to confirm this. I always pucker a little when approaching the left sweepers, with opposing traffic coming... my fingers at the ready.

 

Training is done on the comma.ai servers using the correction data that is uploaded from your device. It does not learn while you're driving, but comma.ai uses the data you upload to train and release better AI with each update to openpilot. I have personally observed newer versions of openpilot perform better on sections of my commute where I had made corrections previously.

 

Is the uploading of my data automatic, or do I need to manually send it? I park my car in a garage with wifi. Thanks!

 

It's automatic any time connected to WiFi. It can also do mobile uploads if you have the comma prime SIM activated or another SIM card.

 

Thanks Illuminati!

 

Just now, my battery was dead and I couldn't start my Prius. I had read that the Comma 2 drains current even when the car is parked and turned off, but I though it might be a problem after a week or so.

I parked the car Tuesday afternoon, plugged it in, and disconnected the charger yesterday (in case the charger has any bearing). So in less than 72 hours, the car was incapacitated. I have a lithium charger and with it, the car started right up. Make sure you have your "blade key" with you so you can open the locked door! I hide just the blade key on my Prius in case I lose the electronic fob.

I guess I'll have to unplug the cable from the OBD2 jack going forward....

 

While it is possible that your new Comma 2 had a slight influence on your 12v battery dying, I would tell you that your 2017 Prime 12v battery was already in poor shape because it's been proven that the Prime has a daily parasitic electrical draw which slowly damages your 12v lead acid battery. Here's a lot of great info on the subject, filled with do's and don'ts.

12v Battery Is Discharging, Re-Charge Now ! | PriusChat



Rob43