Uber Could Be First to Test Completely Driverless Cars in Public

Uber CEO Travis Kalanick has made no secret about wanting robots to replace human drivers in his rideshare service—and now he’s found somewhere to develop them. Last month, the governor of Arizona, Doug Ducey, paved the way for the world’s first driverless taxis on public roads. 

At a joint press conference with Uber, Ducey unveiled an executive order calling for pilot programmes of self-driving vehicles “regardless of whether the operator is physically present in the vehicle or is providing direction remotely.” 

Several U.S. states already permit autonomous vehicle tests but all require a human in the driver’s seat should the technology unexpectedly fail. While safety drivers might suit auto makers like Tesla that are building “autopilots” to help motorists avoid accidents on boring motorway journeys, Uber ultimately wants to eliminate human drivers altogether. 

Ducey’s executive order looks to have been written with Uber in mind. It requires that Arizona’s driverless vehicle pilot programmes take place on the campuses of public universities, such as the University of Arizona. It also directs the state’s Department of Transportation, Department of Public Safety and “all other agencies” to “undertake any necessary steps to support the testing and operation of self-driving vehicles on public roads within Arizona.”

DYI Comments:  The big step one is now in place for actual usage though limited at closed driving circuits as in the case of University of Arizona.  Once this is done successfully within a year or two then two or three other Universities in Arizona will get on board after successful completion (about one year) then all Universities and Colleges in Arizona will have autonomous vehicles. Once that is successful this will spread like wild fire to all closed circuit courses not just in the U.S. but all 1st world countries.  Areas such as large hospital metroplexes, military bases, or movement around large airports etc.  Once this becomes common place then the next step is public roads.  If you are a long haul trucker you have a bulls eye on your forehead along with what remains of taxi service(human drivers).  The transportation industry for drivers only as reported by Bureau of Labor Statistics is 823,130 for tractor trailer(long haul truckers) and 54,990 light or delivery services.  All told within 10 to 15 years 878,120 jobs will vanish.

This disruptive technology will also change car ownership.  When taxis' no longer require a driver the taxi fare becomes less expensive than buying the car yourself!  Individual car ownership will be reduced significantly over the next 30 years.  Today there are around 40,000 plus fatalities per year. These traffic deaths will drop precipitously over the same time period to a level where the average person will wonder why we ever allowed people to drive!

This will spread to trains, helicopters, and passenger airlines as well.  When I was around 9 or 10 years old (year 1966) there were folks who were in their early seventies nervous about getting into elevators because there was no operator.  I'm not kidding!  Twenty or so years from now when jump on a plane to fly to your favorite destination will you be scared or relieved that computers will be doing the flying?

DYI