Self driving cars are going to change the world, part 1

You have probably seen the news reports and articles on self driving cars over the last couple of years.  It has been one of those things that has been discussed for most of my adult life as some sort of far off technology that will happen eventually soon, but soon never arrives.  Well, they are within reach and will begin travelling the roads as early as 2018.  They are going to usher in a change that will rival the smart phone and may exceed it.  It's going to change industries and dramatically alter the makeup of the urban and suburban areas of the country.

Let's take a look at all the areas of your life and see what those changes might look like.  You get in your car in the morning, drive the kids to school and go to work.  While you are working away your car is sitting in the parking lot.  You may or may not leave for lunch,  at the end of your day you drive to the grocery store or gym.  Maybe run the kids to piano lessons or karate.  You eventually go home and settle in for the night.  Your car sits till the next morning.

Now imagine a world where you don't own a car, but can summon one on command.  Your driveway is empty, but 3 minutes after you hail a car one shows up.  Your select one for you, one for your husband and one for your kid. Your child is safely on the way to school after sleeping through their alarm.  You get another car that takes you to work.  Your husband is on is way as well. Safely, efficiently and allowing you to focus on your Twitter feed, emails or the latest YouTube clip.  Traffic moves along on your route, no accidents, no rubber necking, no distracted drivers.  It's not science fiction, but your new reality.