But the truth is, that’s never going to happenand it doesn’t have to.
Cities are terrible places for autonomous cars.
They’re full of unpredictable humans on bikes, on foot, and in regular cars.
John Deere
Andin European cities at leasteven human-driven cars are on the way out.
But there is a place for autonomous vehicleson freeways, in fields, and generally away from fragile humans.
“I believe the best place to start is by making a self-driven boat/ship.
John Deere
Farms and Freeways
Self-driving cars are attractive in the way that flying cars and jetpacks are attractive.
They seem futuristic and fun.
Theyre better versions of existing tech.
Dan Gold / Unsplash
But theyre also just as impractical as regular cars.
But there are plenty of other kinds of vehicles that are much better suited to autonomy.
John Deeres latest tractor, for example, requires no driver.
And when you think about it, why should it?
After that, its just driving up and down a field.
No pedestrians, no other vehicleseasy.
Autonomous Delivery
Another relatively simple driving environment is the freeway.
Youre driving among human-piloted vehicles, but even those are way more predictable than on urban streets.
They make up only 1% of traffic, but causealmost 10% of highway deaths.
Removing the drivers also makes road freight cheaper.
Is There Any Place for Self-Driving Cars?
This isn’t to say that self-driving cars are useless.
It’s just that they probably won’t replace personal automobiles the way we think.
Another option might be city buses or trams, especially bus routes that are physically segregated from regular traffic.
Which is to say, not the city.
