If you had any thoughts that the technology revolution is going to die down any time soon, consider the coming of self driving cars. So much of our society is built around cars and the way we use them. But so far, the infrastructure around them is built on the fact that people need to drive them.
When cars become self driving, it means that people who drive long distances or just commute won't have to sit and watch the road. They will be able to surf the internet, answer emails (safely), and generally work and make their time more productive. Or have a nap. Accidents will drop dramatically, along with fatalities. The insurance industry will be turned on its head. As will the transportation industry.
Self driving cars will mean that you can order up your car, probably on your smart phone, and it will come to you. Google, which has been a leader in this area, is planning to implement this idea in its office areas soon. You won't necessarily need to park your car when you get to work. Instead you can send it home and call it back at the end of the day. In the meantime, it can be used by other people. Car sharing is expected to become more common.
The car industry is jumping in. Volvo is planning the introduction of self driving cars in Sweden by 2017. Early models will be limited in their capabilities. However, this will change. Predictions are that by 2050, 20% of the car market will be self driving, according to McKinsey and Co. This doesn't mean of course that it will be another 35 years before we see them in common use. There will be a growth trajectory over that period. We already see bits and pieces. Cars that park themselves. Cars that brake when they detect a pending collision. We're getting there. And it will change our lives.
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