# I Upgraded My Car With Open-Source AUTOPILOT and it's AMAZING

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xdmxM-v4KQg
Recap page: https://rapidrecap.app/video/xdmxM-v4KQg
Generated: 2025-07-17T06:04:38.465+00:00

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## Quick Overview

An open-source autopilot system, consisting of the KA 3X hardware and Open Pilot software, successfully upgraded a 5-year-old Toyota Corolla to a self-driving capability comparable to a base Tesla with autopilot, making it one of the cheapest self-driving cars on the market. While it excels at highway driving with smooth lane keeping and braking, it requires driver intervention for complex urban scenarios like sharp turns, roundabouts, and navigating without map data.

**Key Points:**
- The KA 3X hardware and Open Pilot software successfully transform a 5-year-old Toyota Corolla into a self-driving car comparable to a base Tesla with autopilot.
- The system costs $1,000, which is considered a reasonable price for custom, USA-made hardware and ongoing open-source software development.
- Installation is straightforward, taking less than an hour, and involves connecting the KA 3X unit in-line with the car's existing camera harness and to the OBD port.
- On highways, the system provides smooth adaptive cruise control and lane keeping, allowing the driver to keep hands off the wheel for extended periods, with braking described as "shockingly smooth."
- The system struggles with complex urban driving scenarios like sharp turns, roundabouts, and navigating without live map data, often requiring driver intervention.
- Open Pilot is an open-source project that collects driving data for training its machine vision AI, which is designed to handle nuanced situations like faded lines or construction zones.
- The legality of using such devices depends on local jurisdiction, as some areas technically prohibit anything obstructing the driver's view on the windshield.

**Context:** The video explores upgrading a standard vehicle with an open-source autopilot system. The core components are the KA 3X hardware, a custom-built device designed and assembled in the USA, and the Open Pilot software, an open-source self-driving platform. The system was installed in a 5-year-old Toyota Corolla, specifically chosen for its compatibility and affordability, aiming to create the cheapest fully self-driving car. The project is supported by a community that contributes to its development and data collection.

## Detailed Analysis

The video demonstrates upgrading a 5-year-old Toyota Corolla with the KA 3X hardware and open-source Open Pilot software to achieve self-driving capabilities on par with a base Tesla. The KA 3X unit, priced at $1,000, is a custom-built device with a Snapdragon processor, 128GB storage, OLED display, and multiple cameras, designed and assembled in the USA. Installation is straightforward, taking less than an hour, by connecting the unit in-line with the car's existing camera and to the OBD port. On highways, the system performs exceptionally well, providing smooth adaptive cruise control and reliable lane keeping, allowing the driver to keep hands off the wheel for extended periods. The braking is notably smooth, and the system's machine vision AI handles nuanced situations like faded lines. However, in urban environments, the system struggles with aggressive corners, roundabouts, and lacks navigation capabilities, often requiring driver intervention for turns and stops. Open Pilot is an open-source project that collects driving data for training its models, and users can contribute driver-facing camera data to improve driver attention models. While the system offers a compelling and affordable entry into self-driving technology, its legality varies by jurisdiction, as some areas prohibit windshield obstructions.

### Product Overview

- The KA 3X is a custom-built hardware unit with a Snapdragon processor, 128GB storage, OLED display, and two 180-degree cameras plus a narrow field camera
- It runs the open-source Open Pilot software, which is Linux-based and functions like an app that takes over car controls
- The unit costs $1,000, considered reasonable for its custom, USA-made nature and ongoing software development
- It includes a Toyota A adapter harness, USB-C cables, and an optional power adapter for continuous data uploading and GPS tracking

### Installation Process

- Installation is simple and quick, taking less than an hour, even with filming interruptions
- It involves removing the rearview mirror cover trim, connecting the car harness in-line with the existing camera, mounting the KA 3X unit on the windshield, and plugging a power cable into the car's OBD port
- The instructions recommend disconnecting the car battery first, though the installer skipped this for demonstration
- The unit requires pairing with Comet Connect and choosing software like Open Pilot, which then performs a software update

### Driving Performance

- On highways, the system provides smooth adaptive cruise control and reliable lane keeping, allowing hands-free driving for extended periods
- The braking is exceptionally smooth, making the experience feel human-like
- The system struggles with aggressive corners, roundabouts, and lacks navigation data, often requiring driver intervention in complex urban scenarios
- It can stop at red lights and stop signs but does not automatically proceed from a stop without a tap on the accelerator
- Lane changes are initiated by the driver but executed smoothly by the system, though it does not signal automatically

### Open-Source & Data Collection

- Open Pilot is an open-source project with various community-developed forks offering additional features like closer following in traffic
- The system continuously records driving data, even when not actively driving, and uploads clips to a distributed training pool
- Users can opt to upload driver-facing camera data to help train driver attention models
- The project is actively costing down the product over time, going against industry trends, and has future potential for external GPU support to run larger models

### Compatibility & Legality

- Open Pilot supports over 300 car models, but feature sets vary based on the car's hardware and development support
- Some cars may not support auto stop/start or stopping at red lights, or only offer lane centering above certain speeds
- The system cannot be installed in cars without electric steering or other necessary electronic features
- The legality of using such devices depends on local jurisdiction, as some areas prohibit anything obstructing the driver's view on the windshield