OpenPilot
Tags: csharp, python, perl, html
Published: 2021-05-09 08:06:28

![Alt Text](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/l217ily8u2hz5ap5qavz.png)

What is openpilot?
openpilot is an open source driver assistance system. Currently, openpilot performs the functions of Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), Automated Lane Centering (ALC), Forward Collision Warning (FCW) and Lane Departure Warning (LDW) for a growing variety of supported car makes, models and model years. In addition, while openpilot is engaged, a camera based Driver Monitoring (DM) feature alerts distracted and asleep drivers.

Integration with Stock Features
In all supported cars:

Stock Lane Keep Assist (LKA) and stock ALC are replaced by openpilot ALC, which only functions when openpilot is engaged by the user.
Stock LDW is replaced by openpilot LDW.
Additionally, on specific supported cars (see ACC column in supported cars):

Stock ACC is replaced by openpilot ACC.
openpilot FCW operates in addition to stock FCW.
openpilot should preserve all other vehicle's stock features, including, but are not limited to: FCW, Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB), auto high-beam, blind spot warning, and side collision warning.

Supported Hardware
At the moment, openpilot supports the EON DevKit and the comma two. A car harness is recommended to connect the EON or comma two to the car. For experimental purposes, openpilot can also run on an Ubuntu computer with external webcams.

Supported Cars:
![Alt Text](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/nnm9ompxuomkmks96p16.PNG)

1Comma Pedal is used to provide stop-and-go capability to some of the openpilot-supported cars that don't currently support stop-and-go. NOTE: The Comma Pedal is not officially supported by comma.
22019 Honda Civic 1.6L Diesel Sedan does not have ALC below 12mph.
3When disconnecting the Driver Support Unit (DSU), openpilot ACC will replace stock ACC. NOTE: disconnecting the DSU disables Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB).
428mph for Camry 4CYL L, 4CYL LE and 4CYL SE which don't have Full-Speed Range Dynamic Radar Cruise Control.

Community Maintained Cars and Features
![Alt Text](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/1dc5f0uxdapr9wdbz8lv.PNG)

1Requires an OBD-II car harness and community built ASCM harness. NOTE: disconnecting the ASCM disables Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB).
2Only includes the MQB Passat sold outside of North America. The NMS Passat made in Chattanooga TN is not yet supported.

Community Maintained Cars and Features are not verified by comma to meet our safety model. Be extra cautious using them. They are only available after enabling the toggle in Settings->Developer->Enable Community Features.

To promote a car from community maintained, it must meet a few requirements. We must own one from the brand, we must sell the harness for it, has full ISO26262 in both panda and openpilot, there must be a path forward for longitudinal control, it must have AEB still enabled, and it must support fingerprinting 2.0

Although they're not upstream, the community has openpilot running on other makes and models. See the 'Community Supported Models' section of each make on our wiki.

Installation Instructions
Install openpilot on an EON or comma two by entering https://openpilot.comma.ai during the installer setup.

Follow these video instructions: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lcjqxCymins , to properly mount the device on the windshield. Note: openpilot features an automatic pose calibration routine and openpilot performance should not be affected by small pitch and yaw misalignments caused by imprecise device mounting.

Before placing the device on your windshield, check the state and local laws and ordinances where you drive. Some state laws prohibit or restrict the placement of objects on the windshield of a motor vehicle.

You will be able to engage openpilot after reviewing the onboarding screens and finishing the calibration procedure.

Limitations of openpilot ALC and LDW
openpilot ALC and openpilot LDW do not automatically drive the vehicle or reduce the amount of attention that must be paid to operate your vehicle. The driver must always keep control of the steering wheel and be ready to correct the openpilot ALC action at all times.

While changing lanes, openpilot is not capable of looking next to you or checking your blind spot. Only nudge the wheel to initiate a lane change after you have confirmed it's safe to do so.

Many factors can impact the performance of openpilot ALC and openpilot LDW, causing them to be unable to function as intended. These include, but are not limited to:

Poor visibility (heavy rain, snow, fog, etc.) or weather conditions that may interfere with sensor operation.
The road facing camera is obstructed, covered or damaged by mud, ice, snow, etc.
Obstruction caused by applying excessive paint or adhesive products (such as wraps, stickers, rubber coating, etc.) onto the vehicle.
The device is mounted incorrectly.
When in sharp curves, like on-off ramps, intersections etc...; openpilot is designed to be limited in the amount of steering torque it can produce.
In the presence of restricted lanes or construction zones.
When driving on highly banked roads or in presence of strong cross-wind.
Extremely hot or cold temperatures.
Bright light (due to oncoming headlights, direct sunlight, etc.).
Driving on hills, narrow, or winding roads.
The list above does not represent an exhaustive list of situations that may interfere with proper operation of openpilot components. It is the driver's responsibility to be in control of the vehicle at all times.

Limitations of openpilot ACC and FCW
openpilot ACC and openpilot FCW are not systems that allow careless or inattentive driving. It is still necessary for the driver to pay close attention to the vehicle’s surroundings and to be ready to re-take control of the gas and the brake at all times.

Many factors can impact the performance of openpilot ACC and openpilot FCW, causing them to be unable to function as intended. These include, but are not limited to:

Poor visibility (heavy rain, snow, fog, etc.) or weather conditions that may interfere with sensor operation.
The road facing camera or radar are obstructed, covered, or damaged by mud, ice, snow, etc.
Obstruction caused by applying excessive paint or adhesive products (such as wraps, stickers, rubber coating, etc.) onto the vehicle.
The device is mounted incorrectly.
Approaching a toll booth, a bridge or a large metal plate.
When driving on roads with pedestrians, cyclists, etc...
In presence of traffic signs or stop lights, which are not detected by openpilot at this time.
When the posted speed limit is below the user selected set speed. openpilot does not detect speed limits at this time.
In presence of vehicles in the same lane that are not moving.
When abrupt braking maneuvers are required. openpilot is designed to be limited in the amount of deceleration and acceleration that it can produce.
When surrounding vehicles perform close cut-ins from neighbor lanes.
Driving on hills, narrow, or winding roads.
Extremely hot or cold temperatures.
Bright light (due to oncoming headlights, direct sunlight, etc.).
Interference from other equipment that generates radar waves.
The list above does not represent an exhaustive list of situations that may interfere with proper operation of openpilot components. It is the driver's responsibility to be in control of the vehicle at all times.

Limitations of openpilot DM
openpilot DM should not be considered an exact measurement of the alertness of the driver.

Many factors can impact the performance of openpilot DM, causing it to be unable to function as intended. These include, but are not limited to:

Low light conditions, such as driving at night or in dark tunnels.
Bright light (due to oncoming headlights, direct sunlight, etc.).
The driver's face is partially or completely outside field of view of the driver facing camera.
The driver facing camera is obstructed, covered, or damaged.
The list above does not represent an exhaustive list of situations that may interfere with proper operation of openpilot components. A driver should not rely on openpilot DM to assess their level of attention.

User Data and comma Account
By default, openpilot uploads the driving data to our servers. You can also access your data by pairing with the comma connect app (iOS, Android). We use your data to train better models and improve openpilot for everyone.

openpilot is open source software: the user is free to disable data collection if they wish to do so.

openpilot logs the road facing camera, CAN, GPS, IMU, magnetometer, thermal sensors, crashes, and operating system logs. The driver facing camera is only logged if you explicitly opt-in in settings. The microphone is not recorded.

By using openpilot, you agree to our Privacy Policy. You understand that use of this software or its related services will generate certain types of user data, which may be logged and stored at the sole discretion of comma. By accepting this agreement, you grant an irrevocable, perpetual, worldwide right to comma for the use of this data.

Safety and Testing
openpilot observes ISO26262 guidelines, see SAFETY.md for more details.
openpilot has software in the loop tests that run on every commit.
The safety model code lives in panda and is written in C, see code rigor for more details.
panda has software in the loop safety tests.
Internally, we have a hardware in the loop Jenkins test suite that builds and unit tests the various processes.
panda has additional hardware in the loop tests.
We run the latest openpilot in a testing closet containing 10 EONs continuously replaying routes.
Testing on PC
For simplified development and experimentation, openpilot can be run in the CARLA driving simulator, which allows you to develop openpilot without a car. The whole setup should only take a few minutes.

Steps:
1. Start the CARLA server on first terminal
bash -c "$(curl https://raw.githubusercontent.com/commaai/openpilot/master/tools/sim/start_carla.sh)"

2. Start openpilot on second terminal
bash -c "$(curl https://raw.githubusercontent.com/commaai/openpilot/master/tools/sim/start_openpilot_docker.sh)"

Press 1 to engage openpilot
You should also take a look at the tools directory in master: lots of tools you can use to replay driving data, test, and develop openpilot from your PC.

Community and Contributing
openpilot is developed by comma and by users like you. We welcome both pull requests and issues on GitHub. Bug fixes and new car ports are encouraged.

You can add support for your car by following guides we have written for Brand and Model ports. Generally, a car with adaptive cruise control and lane keep assist is a good candidate. Join our Discord to discuss car ports: most car makes have a dedicated channel.

Directory Structure
![Alt Text](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/9jcm2kaukz6mer6bxw95.PNG)

Licensing
openpilot is released under the MIT license. Some parts of the software are released under other licenses as specified.

Any user of this software shall indemnify and hold harmless comma.ai, Inc. and its directors, officers, employees, agents, stockholders, affiliates, subcontractors and customers from and against all allegations, claims, actions, suits, demands, damages, liabilities, obligations, losses, settlements, judgments, costs and expenses (including without limitation attorneys’ fees and costs) which arise out of, relate to or result from any use of this software by user.

THIS IS ALPHA QUALITY SOFTWARE FOR RESEARCH PURPOSES ONLY. THIS IS NOT A PRODUCT. YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR COMPLYING WITH LOCAL LAWS AND REGULATIONS. NO WARRANTY EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED.