Here Comes the Cybercab

We have been promised self-driving cars for some time. Now, it seems, thanks to AI, it is actually happening. Tesla is rolling out its Cybercab, joining Waymo, already operating in ten US cities. According to the stats I have seen, operating costs are only 25 cents US a mile. Even that price might come down as we develop cheaper sources of electricity, nuclear reactors or solar power. And the self-driving cars are seven times less likely than human drivers to cause accidents—a figure that can only stand to go down as the AI improves.

This will lower the cost of insurance. It will also lower the large number of people killed or injured in traffic accidents, and not that incidentally, as a knock-on, the costs of medical care.

A century or so ago, the private automobile drastically changed the landscape. Highways, malls, drive-in everything, large areas set aside for parking. We are about to see a similar dramatic change now.

Nobody will need any longer to own a private car—a major living expense. It will make more sense to pay ride for ride; or, if you own a car, you will rent it out when you are not using it, auto-Uber, making it pay for itself. 

This will be a big reduction in the cost of living for the average family. It will be a bigger advantage to the poor, the disabled, and the elderly.

With everyone doubling up on vehicles, we will need fewer roads per capita. Nor will a self-driving cab need parking space at the destination. It can move on to the next customer, and reappear when needed.

This will free up a huge amount of prime real estate for development. Downtowns should regain advantage over malls. The cost of housing should go down, without the need to sacrifice so much to parking for residents.

In smaller cities, public transit will probably no longer be required. Taking a cybercab will be cheaper and more convenient. But we may also have cyber buses, driving costs down even lower. It may make sense for municipalities to offer the rides for free.

If you are in a larger city, and have a long commute—now you can be working as you ride. 

And as for long-distance transport—we will no doubt also have cyber semis. This will draw down the cost of transportation, making all manner of goods cheaper to the consumer. Notably food. 

And this is all about to unfold.