The only thing between a self-driving car and you is a few lawyers — The Daily PPILL #332

When new technologies are introduced, there is a sense of awe that -honestly- inspires me. The wonder of discovering what “this thing can do” and imagining how your life be in the future is something be worth seeking out. I mean, heck, there are people would even stand in line around the block FOR A WHOLE NIGHT to get their hands on a new piece of technology. I am not quite that type of person, but I can relate.

But that effect of the shiny new object slowly fades away as we use the technology more and more. And then, nobody wonders on and about it anymore. It becomes a part of our life and using it feels second nature.

That’s actually one of the ways we know that a technology is ready for adoption and that it is here to stay.

I recently watched a video of a conference back from 2015, where the speaker was trying to make a point and showed a video of the experience of sitting in a self-driving car, going through a closed test course, no other vehicles, no pedestrians. The passenger is screaming, swearing, amazed, but freaking out at the same time.

Now, compare that with my still recent experience on a self-driving robo-taxi in Phoenix, AZ. A ride through a real city environment, with tons of other cars sharing the same road, pedestrians, the whole thing; and with all that, a smooth, easy experience.

These things are here. They are ready. The only thing keeping them in the garage is the lawyers.

As published on The Channelmeister