“Hello Tesla Owners. We have some amazing news for you so keep watching. We have been developing and testing a new driverless car package. It has been so successful we have decided at midnight tonight we will be rolling out this driverless software to all our Tesla models. As soon as you switch on the car again after midnight it will be installed and ready to go in driverless mode no matter where you live.”
As we know some cars now get software updates over the wi-fi without the need to go anywhere need a dealer showroom or repair shop.
People still think driverless cars are years away and they haven’t seen the numerous videos on the internet of driverless cars driving around major cities in the USA and other countries.
So, if you are a Tesla owner hearing this what are your reactions going to be.
“Fantastic news I am going to stay up and at 12.01 I will download the software and see what happens”.
I suspect there will be quite a few owners who do this although is midnight really a good time to be out testing new software on your car. You would at least want to test it in the light first.
“Are they serious I live in Delhi. They really think I will just get in the car and agree to let it drive me across Delhi during the morning rush hour”.
It is interesting whether they would consider a full role out or whether they would do it staggered by different countries or even staggered by certain models. Depends on the confidence level but a big bang approach might be the best way to do. They could always quickly back out the update.
“Let’s check the internet to see if anyone has posted how to avoid getting the upgrade”.
Although it will be an amazing technology to have not everyone is going to want to have it. There will be those who will never want it, would never trust it and will never use it. Then there will be those who will want to wait a couple of months to see if it is safe before wanting it switched on.
“Oh god I must speak to my insurance company”.
Also, a natural thought as you would need to get in touch with them to find out whether they will still cover your car in accident. Also, you will need to find out whether your premiums changes as a result or even if you are still actually allowed on the road with the car.
“It’s okay I will just hand it back to the finance company”.
You may find the finance company already has some small print that covers this so might not be so easy to hand it back. They may also want you to drive it back to them.
“Have you had an accident that involved a driverless car then call……….”
Yes, the ambulance chasing claims “specialists” will jump into action smelling the opportunity of a whole new set of car accident claimants coming their way.
“There must be a phone number to complain to?”
Good luck with this as I expect you may be met with “You are number 1,256,678 in the queue unfortunately all our operators are busy, but your call is important to us”
“Where can I find out more information about driverless cars?”
Books (hurrah I might sell some!!) /videos/websites/ Blogs (hurrah I might get more visitors). These will all see more traffic volume as new driverless car drivers swot up on what to expect or not in their new driverless car world.
Driverless Cars will never take off 