Federal safety regulators are investigating aftermarket driver-assist devices made by comma.ai after a series of crashes, including fatal ones. Ars Technica reports that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration knows of five crashes in which cars using Comma's devices struck slow or stopped vehicles. TechCrunch similarly describes a probe involving at least two fatal crashes, though Ars Technica refers more broadly to multiple deaths and injuries.
The two outlets differ on one key detail: TechCrunch says the investigation covers at least some crashes where drivers appear to have been using "forked" versions of Comma's software, meaning modified code not officially released by the company. Ars Technica's report does not mention forked software. Both agree that the probe centers on the safety of hands-off driving features sold as aftermarket add-ons, a market that could face new scrutiny depending on what regulators find.