Would you get into a self-driving car?

By 2040, almost one in five cars in Switzerland is predicted to be fully automated, with everyone on board able to close their eyes and (in theory) relax. But attitudes to mobility, in particular to car sharing, are going to have to change to prevent increased demands on energy resources and the environment. “Automated cars will make road traffic safer, more fluid and result in a better use of available car capacity,” according to a Federal Roads Office report published in December. “Furthermore, self-driving vehicles [SDV] will increase mobility access for new user groups such as elderly people, children and people with disabilities. Car sharing will also become more attractive.” As the graphic shows, while in 2015 humans had total control in more than four out of five vehicles in Switzerland, computer systems are already taking on more of the workload. By 2040, only one in ten drivers will have to keep their eyes on the road.  The report acknowledged, however, ...