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# Autonomous Auto Start-Ups
Automotive Start-Up 'Comma' is on a Mission to Beat Google and Tesla

By Laura McQuarrie | Published 2016-03-16 | Autos
Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/comma
References: [forbes](http://www.forbes.com/sites/aarontilley/2016/03/08/george-hotz-comma-ai/) & [comma.ai](http://comma.ai/)

George Hotz is a 26-year-old hacker and the audacious entrepreneur behind automotive start-up 'Comma.'

Some of the world's most powerful companies are now in the stages of developing their own [self-driving vehicles](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/autonomous-vehicle-innovation), but Hotz is confident that he can beat major players in this market like [Google](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/volvo-and-google) and [Tesla](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/optimus-robot). Hotz says: "Google is going to ship by the end of 2020? We’re actually making this stuff work" and boasts that he can string together an algorithm for an autonomous AI car quicker than any carmaker currently out there.

Comma has already received a $20 million investment and Hotz continues to generate interest in his new venture. Recently, the young entrepreneur spoke at SXSW to say: "I Built a Better Self Driving Car Than Tesla."

## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter)

- Score: 4.5/10
- Popularity: 54% | Activity: 74% | Freshness: 8%
- Audience gender: 70% men, 30% women
- Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial, Gen X
- Top markets: North America

## Categories

[Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Autos](https://www.trendhunter.com/autos)

## Key Themes

### Key Themes Behind This Trend

- **Autonomous Auto Start-ups:** The rise of start-ups, such as Comma, focused on creating autonomous cars creates disruption in the automotive industry.
- **Self-driving Car Algorithms:** The development of quicker and more efficient algorithms for autonomous vehicles provides opportunities for innovation in software engineering and AI.
- **Competition for Major Players:** The emergence of more autonomous auto start-ups challenging major players like Google and Tesla creates market disruption and opportunities for new entrants.

### Where This Applies

- **Automotive:** The automotive industry is being disrupted by start-ups like Comma, creating opportunities for innovation in autonomous vehicles and related technology.
- **Software Engineering:** The development of faster and more efficient algorithms for self-driving cars creates opportunities for innovation in software engineering, programming, and machine learning.
- **Artificial Intelligence:** The growth of autonomous auto start-ups like Comma creates opportunities for innovation and advancement in artificial intelligence and machine learning.

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