Guide · Open source
How to use openpilot: setup, requirements and what to know
Updated · written with AI from the project's own documentation and checked against our catalogue data
openpilot is open-source software from comma that upgrades the driver assistance system in more than 300 supported cars when it runs on a comma device connected through a car harness. This guide explains what you need, how the software is installed and which branch to pick, and what the project's own README says about data, safety and status. After reading it you will know whether your car and budget fit the project and what the setup involves.
openpilotcommaai/openpilot · ★ 64k · MIT Install options & downloads Quick start
- 1Get a supported device. Buy a comma four or confirm your existing comma device is supported. The README lists the comma four as the supported device.
- 2Get a car harness. Obtain a car harness to connect the device to your car, as listed in the README.
- 3Confirm your car is supported. Check your make and model against docs/CARS.md. Other hardware is not plug-and-play.
- 4Pick a branch. For most users, use the release branch at openpilot.comma.ai. Use nightly only if you accept that it is not expected to be stable.
- 5Install the software. Run the quick start command or enter openpilot.comma.ai during the comma four setup procedure.
- 6Install the hardware in the car. Follow the instructions at comma.ai/setup to install the harness and device.
- 7Review data settings. Decide whether to keep data upload on, since it is on by default, and whether to opt in to driver-facing logging.
What you need before you start
The README lists four things you need to run openpilot in a car: a supported device, the software, a supported car, and a car harness.
- Supported device: a comma four, available from comma.ai/shop/comma-four.
- Software: the comma four setup procedure accepts a custom software URL. The README says to use openpilot.comma.ai to install the release version.
- Supported car: one of the 300+ cars listed in docs/CARS.md.
- Car harness: a harness that connects the comma four to your car, sold at comma.ai/shop/car-harness.
Install openpilot on a comma device
The README gives a quick start command. Run it as written, or enter the release URL during the comma four setup procedure. The README also points to detailed instructions for installing the harness and device in a car at comma.ai/setup.
- Quick start from the README, run on the device as shown in the source.
- During setup, enter openpilot.comma.ai to get the release version.
bash <(curl -fsSL openpilot.comma.ai)Choose the right software branch
The README says running master and other branches directly is supported, but it recommends one of the prebuilt branches. For most people, the release branch is the right choice. The staging branch gets new releases slightly early, and the nightly branches are for development. The README warns that nightly is not expected to be stable.
- release-mici (comma four) or release-tizi (comma 3X): openpilot's release branch, at openpilot.comma.ai.
- release-mici-staging or release-tizi-staging: staging branch for releases, at openpilot-test.comma.ai.
- nightly: the bleeding edge development branch at openpilot-nightly.comma.ai. Not expected to be stable.
- nightly-dev: same as nightly, with experimental features for some cars.
- chestnut users have their own release, staging and nightly installer URLs in the README.
Check whether your car and hardware are supported
Support depends on the car. The README says other hardware can run openpilot, but it is not plug-and-play. If your car is not in the supported list, expect extra work rather than a simple install.
- Check the car against docs/CARS.md in the repository.
- Other hardware is possible according to the README, but it is not plug-and-play.
- The README links to a community wiki and Discord for information about running openpilot.
Understand data upload before you install
The README says openpilot uploads driving data to comma's servers by default. The data includes road-facing camera footage, CAN, GPS, IMU, magnetometer, thermal sensors, crashes and operating system logs. The driver-facing camera and microphone are logged only if you opt in through settings. The README also says users can disable data collection, and that you can view your data through comma connect.
- Upload is on by default, according to the README.
- Users can disable data collection, per the README.
- Driver-facing camera and microphone require explicit opt-in in settings.
- Data is accessible through connect.comma.ai.
Read the safety and status notes
The README says openpilot is alpha-quality software for research purposes only and is not a product. It states there is no warranty, and that you are responsible for complying with local laws and regulations. The README also describes its testing: software-in-the-loop tests run on every commit, the safety model code lives in panda and is written in C, and comma runs the latest openpilot in a testing closet with 10 devices replaying routes.
- Alpha quality, for research purposes only, per the README.
- No warranty expressed or implied.
- You are responsible for following local laws and regulations.
- The project observes ISO26262 guidelines, see docs/SAFETY.md.
Contribute to or read the code
openpilot is developed by comma and by outside users. The README welcomes pull requests and issues on GitHub. Code documentation lives at docs.comma.ai, and the contributing guide is at docs/CONTRIBUTING.md.
- Read docs/CONTRIBUTING.md before opening a pull request.
- Join the community Discord at discord.comma.ai.
- Code documentation is at docs.comma.ai.
- comma lists bounties for external contributors at comma.ai/bounties.
What people use it for
- Owners of a supported car who want to experiment with open driver assistance software.
- Researchers and engineers studying driver assistance systems.
- Developers reading or contributing to the openpilot codebase.
- Hobbyists testing other hardware, with the README's warning that it is not plug-and-play.
Frequently asked questions
Is openpilot free?
The software is open source and released under the MIT license, according to the README. The README does not list prices for the comma four, harness or car, so check comma.ai for current hardware costs.
What cars does openpilot support?
The README says openpilot supports more than 300 cars. The full list is in docs/CARS.md in the repository, so check your exact make and model there before buying hardware.
What do I need to install openpilot?
The README lists a supported device such as the comma four, the openpilot software, a supported car, and a car harness. Install the release version by entering openpilot.comma.ai during setup or by running the quick start command.
Does openpilot upload my driving data?
Yes, by default, according to the README. Users can disable data collection, and the driver-facing camera and microphone are logged only if you opt in.
Can I run openpilot on a car that is not on the list?
The README says it is possible to run openpilot on other hardware, but it is not plug-and-play. Expect significant extra setup work.
How does openpilot compare to other driver assistance software?
The source material for this guide does not include a comparison with other projects, so it cannot make a claim here. Read the README and docs to judge its features against what you need.
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Our verdict
openpilot suits owners of a supported car who are comfortable with hardware installation, and researchers or developers who want to study or contribute to an open driver assistance codebase. It is not suited to anyone who wants a finished, fully supported consumer product, since the README calls it alpha-quality research software, or to people who do not want driving data uploaded by default.
Install options & downloads