Device Enables Hands-Free Driving. But Fatal Crashes Have Prompted Scrutiny.

The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is investigating Comma.ai after at least five crashes were linked to its hands-free driving device. The system lets drivers take their hands off the steering wheel with a button press, using automation to manage driving tasks. The scrutiny follows concerns about safety implications of relying on such technology while the vehicle is operating on public roads. The agency’s review centers on the relationship between the device and reported incidents, and what role—if any—the technology played in those crashes. The investigation adds to broader regulatory attention on driver-assistance systems.