Comma.ai faces US safety probe after two fatal crashes tied to its driving tech

What's the deal? The National Highway Traffic Safety AdministrationDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom → has opened an investigation into Comma.ai's hands-off driving technology following two fatal crashes. The probe targets the startup's aftermarket driver-assistance system, which lets owners add automated driving features to existing cars.

Why now? The investigation follows the two fatal crashes linked to the technology, prompting federal regulators to examine whether the system meets safety standards.

What's the endgame? Comma.ai sells openpilot-based hardware that adds advanced driver assistance to consumer vehicles, positioning it as a low-cost alternative to systems built by carmakers.

The signal: The scrutiny lands as regulators sharpen their focus on automated driving after high-profile investigations into larger players. For aftermarket entrants like Comma.ai, a federal probe raises the stakes on proving these systems are safe outside factory-installed setups.

Read more: TechCrunch