Ghost Locomotion Secures $63.7M for Aftermarket Highway Autonomy Kit
Ghost Locomotion reveals a new aftermarket kit designed to enable private passenger vehicles to drive autonomously on highways. The startup aims to deliver this technology by 2020 at a price lower than Tesla's Full Self-Driving package.
Ghost Locomotion emerges from stealth mode with $63.7 million in funding to develop an aftermarket kit that enables private cars to drive themselves on highways. Unlike competitors focusing on robotaxis or urban autonomous driving, Ghost targets everyday consumer vehicles and promises a 2020 delivery. The company plans to price this kit below Tesla's $7,000 Full Self-Driving package.
CEO John Hayes points out that while major players tackle the difficult problem of urban navigation, automakers fall short of providing true highway autonomy. Current manufacturer systems only reach SAE Level 2 automation, which requires the human driver to remain fully attentive and in control at all times. Ghost steps in to fill this gap by taking a focused, startup-style approach specifically to highway driving.
Instead of merely upgrading a vehicle's advanced driver assistance system, the Ghost kit completely removes the human from the driving loop on the highway. This allows drivers to hand over control to the computer so they can check their phones or even take a nap. Hayes insists this targeted strategy separates Ghost from similar efforts by companies like Comma.ai and the early models of Cruise.