Home / Guides

GuideUpdated Feb 2026

dragonpilot

Founded in 2019, dragonpilot is a long-running openpilot fork built around a "minimal changes" philosophy — staying close to stock openpilot while adding carefully chosen features like ALKA, vehicle-specific tuning, and continued comma 3 support. Primarily backed by a Chinese-speaking community, dragonpilot is non-commercial with no Patreon or paid tiers.

Official Links

Hardware Compatibility

As of February 2026

DeviceStatusNotes
comma 4Not mentioned in dragonpilot GitHub as of Feb 2026
comma 3X (C3X)Primary target device
comma 3 (C3)Kept after openpilot dropped C3 in v0.10.0
O3 / O3L / O3XLThird-party hardware supported
comma 2 (C2)⚠️d2 branch only

Install URLs

Current stable: 0.10.3 (updated Feb 24, 2026). Enter the full URL on your comma device to install.

Device / VariantInstall URL
comma 3 / 3X (standard)installer.comma.ai/dragonpilot/dragonpilot/0.10.3
Kia Carnivalinstaller.comma.ai/dragonpilot/dragonpilot/0.10.3-carnival
Teslainstaller.comma.ai/dragonpilot/dragonpilot/0.10.3-tesla
Honda Odysseyinstaller.comma.ai/dragonpilot/dragonpilot/0.10.3-ody
Legacy EON / C2installer.comma.ai/dragonpilot/dragonpilot/d2

General format: installer.comma.ai/{org}/{branch}

Core Driving Features

ALKA (Always Lane Keep Assist)

Since 2019

dragonpilot invented ALKA in 2019 — lane centering stays active independently of ACC, letting drivers keep manual speed control while the system steers. A signature dragonpilot feature.

Adaptive Personality Mode (APM)

New in 0.10.3 r2

Dynamically adapts driving personality in real-time based on road conditions and driving context.

Dynamic Accel Slew Rate (DASR)

New in 0.10.3 r2

Smooths acceleration transitions for a more comfortable and natural driving experience.

Adaptive Experimental Mode (AEM)

Smarter switching between experimental and standard driving modes, adapting to road situations automatically.

Adaptive Coasting Mode (ACM)

Intelligent coasting behavior that reduces unnecessary braking for smoother and more efficient driving.

Dynamic Turn Speed Control (DTSC)

Automatically adjusts speed for upcoming turns using map and road data.

UI & Interface

Rainbow Path

Colorful animated driving path overlay for a distinct visual style.

MICI UI Mode

Alternative UI layout with Torque Bar for at-a-glance torque feedback.

Model Selector

Choose between different AI driving models directly from the on-screen UI.

Branch Selector

Switch dragonpilot branches directly from the UI — no SSH required.

System & Maps

mapd / Map Module

OSM-based speed limits, stop sign detection, and road name display.

Auto Lane Change

Configurable speed threshold for automatic lane changes.

Road Edge Detection

Enhanced awareness of road boundaries for safer lane keeping.

C3 nVMe Support

New in 0.10.3 r2

nVMe storage support for comma 3 devices.

Device Utilities

Auto Shutdown timer, Tether on Boot, and other quality-of-life device controls.

Vehicle-Specific Enhancements

MakeFeatures
Toyota / LexusSDSU support, ZSS support, door lock/unlock, SnG mod, PCM compensation
HondaEPS Mod for enhanced steering
VAG (VW / Audi / Skoda)Stop-and-Go mods
HKG (Hyundai / Kia / Genesis)SMDPS low-speed steering enhancement

dragonpilot offers vehicle-specific branches (e.g. Carnival, Tesla, Odyssey) for cars that need dedicated tuning beyond standard openpilot support.

Philosophy

dragonpilot follows a "minimal changes" approach — staying as close to stock openpilot as possible while selectively adding features the community values. This means updates from upstream openpilot merge cleanly, and the driving experience remains near-stock with targeted improvements. The project pioneered ALKA in 2019 and continues to be a leader in vehicle-specific branches. It is entirely non-commercial — no Patreon, no paid tiers, just community-driven development.

Safety Notice

dragonpilot is an unofficial openpilot fork. It is not affiliated with or endorsed by comma.ai. Use at your own risk. Always keep hands on the wheel and stay fully attentive while driving.

Related Guides