Geohot proclaims Comma.ai's self-driving tech will be available by the end of the year

During an interview with Bloomberg, Hotz said, "I'm not going to say exactly how we're going to [provide this tech to the public], but I do promise, by the end of the year, for under \\$1,000, you will be able to buy a self-driving car." Of course, he doesn't mean the whole car, just the kit being sold through his company, Comma.ai.

Even loftier is his intent on making this retrofit kit user-installable. Yes, he's saying that some very finely tuned equipment -- including a camera -- can be mounted up by any old Tom, Dick or Harry. Hotz claims that part can be dealt with on his end, by including programming that forces the system to adapt to its installation.

And thus, the countdown to 2017 begins. With a recent round of funding from a16z, Comma.ai can start growing beyond its current team of four, and it very well could deliver on all its promises. However, we doubt that the joystick and LCARS-style "Engage" button from Hotz's personal Acura ILX will come along for the ride.