This year, automated vehicle technology became a matter of when, not if In a year filled with stories about the promise and potential of driverless cars and automated vehicles, it was odd to see the year end on a sour note, as dozens of Uber test vehicles were unceremoniously trucked out of San Francisco on the back of a flatbed trailer. The ridehailing giant, puffing its chest as it announced that its driverless vehicles were going to be tested on the streets of its hometown, quickly had to eat crow, as it appeared the new cars didn?t have the correct permits (something the company still disputes is necessary).
As far as symbolism goes, when the so-called future of transportation isn?t even allowed to drive itself out of town, it might seem like the future isn?t promising. But after a year of technological, logistical, and regulatory breakthroughs?including the company?s successful trials in Pittsburgh, and the auto industry?s race to catch up?the future of driverless cars seems brighter than ever, making Uber?s San Francisco trial seem more like a stumble than a fall. And Uber is just one of many rapidly developing companies that have the potential to reshape our commutes, city planning, and the economy in far-reaching ways. While driverless cars may be years from widespread adoption, the technology has such broad support that it?s a matter of when, not if, and that the biggest hurdle to realizing the technology?s potential may be human, rather than computer, erro...