Originally Posted by
jputnam
As soon as people realize it means they can watch movies, have a drink, or have sex in the car on the way to work, it will become as popular as the Internet.
Driving a Prius economically is the cod liver oil of driving -- how many people really get personal gratification out of saving a few percent on fuel economy?
Exactly, it is only a matter of time... the first cell phones in the US were looked at as a gadget for doctors and the rich, now the things are ubiquitous. Computers were the same way... people couldn't even think of a good reason to own one... "balance my checkbook, keep recipes on..." Now it's hard to imagine not having a computer.
Over time, self driving cars will change much of the way we do things... and will make vehicular cycling both safe and popular. (imagine that).
Most likely people will end up not even owning cars, they will likely just schedule one ("there's a app for that") when they need one and you will likely have some sort of open ended lease to allow you to chose your transportation needs... and of course if it is not convenient to order or wait for the self drive car... well you can always bike there.
And of course 20-30 years into the future you'll be telling your grandkids... "yup, we used to actually drive those things ourselves... " The children won't quite understand what that means... and will look at their grandparents with that eye of "yeah, sure."