In 2019, a group of university students in Malaysia found themselves engrossed in a conversation about Tesla’s groundbreaking self-driving technology. Among them was Kok Yuan Ting (Ting), a curious and forward-thinking Mechatronics Engineering student. Ting had one simple yet ambitious question:
Could he adapt this technology himself?
Inspired by the idea, Ting began to closely study his friend’s car. He was struck by how digital everything was, sparking his curiosity further. What if he could integrate self-driving technology with the existing system in regular vehicles? This question led Ting down a path of months-long research and experimentation.
The birth of a vision: simulating self-driving with a joystick
In his initial experiments, Ting used a joystick to simulate the actions of a car steering wheel. It was a far cry from the sophisticated systems in Teslas, but the idea had taken root. He spent countless hours refining this concept. By 2020, Ting had hit a breakthrough, solidifying his belief that this technology could be adapted to everyday vehicles in Malaysia.
Bringing the dream team together
Excited by his progress, Ting reached out to his close friend Kean Wei Wong (Kean), who shared his enthusiasm for the project. Together, they assembled a team of like-minded innovators: Tay Tiong Guan, Lim Teik Aun, and Alexander Yeoh. Each brought unique expertise to the table, helping transform the initial idea into a tangible reality.
KommuAssist: Malaysia’s first self-driving kit
The result of their collective efforts? KommuAssist, Malaysia’s first self-driving kit.
Designed as a plug-and-play system, KommuAssist can be installed in compatible mid-range vehicles, including selected models from Perodua, Proton, and Toyota. What sets this system apart is its ability to enable Level 2 semi-autonomous driving, making it particularly useful in Malaysia’s notorious traffic jams.
With Ting as the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) and Kean Wei now serving as the CEO, Kommu.ai was born to bring this innovation to the masses.
The journey doesn’t stop here. The Kommu team is already hard at work on the second generation of their Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS). This upgraded version will offer auto-navigate features and further enhance safety by detecting hyper-localized traffic conditions. Whether it’s navigating around a motorcycle cutting into your lane or avoiding potholes, the next-gen KommuAssist will be finely tuned to Malaysia’s unique road challenges.
Interested in turning your car into a self-driving vehicle?
KommuAssist stands out as a cost-effective way for Malaysians to experience semi-autonomous driving without purchasing a luxury vehicle. Its ease of installation and use makes it accessible to a broader audience, and its advanced technology is poised to transform the driving experience in a country where traffic can be a daily headache.
If you’re intrigued by the idea of making your vehicle semi-autonomous, you’re not alone. As Kommu continues to innovate, it’s making self-driving technology more accessible than ever before. KommuAssist offers a glimpse into the future of driving, providing Malaysians with an affordable, efficient way to navigate crowded streets and heavy traffic.
🚘 Ready to explore if your car is compatible with this cutting-edge technology? 🌐 Visit kommu.ai for more details.
