I having been thinking about this a lot recently. I googled the topic and found some interesting posts. Here are a few:
http://tomholowka.com/self-driving-cars/
I like the reference to pornography and pizza in the post above
https://www.quora.com/What-will-be-the-effect-on-society-once-self-driving-cars-become-mainstream
For the link above, you need to read the posts after the short article added by viewers which actually makes up the majority of the web page. Some very interesting insights. Here is one of the posts I am referring to:
"The decisions are potentially even more difficult. Even though some of these are known problems, that doesn't make them any easier. For example, if the automobile realizes that an accident is definitely going to occur, but the program can choose between two different outcomes, it can be faced with a variant of what is known as the Trolley Problem. Should the car always attempt to save its driver, or perhaps be willing to sacrifice the driver if the other option would involve a risk of more deaths? If the program chooses poorly, what are the legal ramifications? (Note that humans are not expected to react as quickly and precisely, so are very seldom actually subjected to such a Sophie's Choice.)"
http://blog.bestusedtires.com/self-driving-car-predictions/
http://www.fastcoexist.com/3043305/how-self-driving-cars-will-change-the-economy-and-society
A few predictions I did not read but that I could see happening:
- It may become very expensive to insure yourself for "self driving". If it can be proven in court that due to you being a rotten selfish person you opted to control your vehicle instead of letting the automation take control, even minor fender benders could result in large law suits. "I was so traumatized by the accident that I needed to take several months off from my work ...". You get the idea. This might speed up the replacement of all not automated vehicles and/or a retrofit to vehicles to support self-driving.
- If self-driving on the public roads becomes impractical, private tracks where ordinary individuals can have amateur races might become much more popular. Buy up your local race track now and it may increase in value a great deal in the coming years.
- I could see very specialized, and by today's standards, very unusual vehicles being designed. You could have a vehicle that is basically a traveling office with all the amenities of an office but able to take you where you want to go at the same time. You could rent one by the hour or own one that could become your permanent office. Another specialized vehicle could be a traveling bedroom. All windows would be blacked out. Automated driver does not need windows
You could book one, have it pick up your favorite sp, then have it pick you up, do the deed(s) and then free up the vehicle for the next customer - after a through cleaning we would hope 
So folks, what predictions would you like to make?
JD
http://tomholowka.com/self-driving-cars/
I like the reference to pornography and pizza in the post above
https://www.quora.com/What-will-be-the-effect-on-society-once-self-driving-cars-become-mainstream
For the link above, you need to read the posts after the short article added by viewers which actually makes up the majority of the web page. Some very interesting insights. Here is one of the posts I am referring to:
"The decisions are potentially even more difficult. Even though some of these are known problems, that doesn't make them any easier. For example, if the automobile realizes that an accident is definitely going to occur, but the program can choose between two different outcomes, it can be faced with a variant of what is known as the Trolley Problem. Should the car always attempt to save its driver, or perhaps be willing to sacrifice the driver if the other option would involve a risk of more deaths? If the program chooses poorly, what are the legal ramifications? (Note that humans are not expected to react as quickly and precisely, so are very seldom actually subjected to such a Sophie's Choice.)"
http://blog.bestusedtires.com/self-driving-car-predictions/
http://www.fastcoexist.com/3043305/how-self-driving-cars-will-change-the-economy-and-society
A few predictions I did not read but that I could see happening:
- It may become very expensive to insure yourself for "self driving". If it can be proven in court that due to you being a rotten selfish person you opted to control your vehicle instead of letting the automation take control, even minor fender benders could result in large law suits. "I was so traumatized by the accident that I needed to take several months off from my work ...". You get the idea. This might speed up the replacement of all not automated vehicles and/or a retrofit to vehicles to support self-driving.
- If self-driving on the public roads becomes impractical, private tracks where ordinary individuals can have amateur races might become much more popular. Buy up your local race track now and it may increase in value a great deal in the coming years.
- I could see very specialized, and by today's standards, very unusual vehicles being designed. You could have a vehicle that is basically a traveling office with all the amenities of an office but able to take you where you want to go at the same time. You could rent one by the hour or own one that could become your permanent office. Another specialized vehicle could be a traveling bedroom. All windows would be blacked out. Automated driver does not need windows
So folks, what predictions would you like to make?
JD




