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Driverless Cars Could Make Transportation Free for Everyone -- With a Catch (theatlantic.com)
Want a gratis ride? You'll just have to stop at some stores along the way. The Atlantic explores a possible future with autonomous cars: In a world full of autonomous autos, transportation will become free. Not just hands-free, or driver-free, or go-wherever-you-want free. But free as in beer: complimentary, gratis. Summon a car and travel for nothing -- that is, so long as you are willing to make a stop or two en route at sponsoring locations. Picture a not-too-distant future where a trip across town is available to anyone who will spend 15 minutes in McDonald's on the way. Not a fast-food fan? Then for you it's Starbucks, a bookstore, the game parlor. Rides with a child stop at the Disney store, while teenage girls are routed via next decade's version of Zara and H&M. Unlike today's UberPool, with its roundabout routes and multiple passenger pickups, "UberFree" features tailor-made routes and thoughtfully targeted stops. Realtors could pay to have the cars drive slowly past featured properties for sale, past the nice new elementary school in the slightly more affluent neighborhood.
I'd rather pay to ride public transit or drive my own car instead of living in that dystopian hell. If you think that's a realistic view of the future, I weep for your parents -- they clearly failed you -- and humanity in general.
How is this any different than being herded like fucking cattle?
It seems like any time there's a trade between personal responsibility and autonomy for safety/efficiency -- It's never for the benefit of the everyday person. Regardless of how it's spun.
They'll have to pry my cold, lifeless hands off of my steering wheel.
Doors lock, windows opacify, and a bit of knockout gas later, welcome to Secret Police Headquarters where we will cleanse you of those unapproved thoughts, for you own good of course, Comrade.
Explain to me how this new system is different.
Have gnu, will travel.
If they manage to accurately mine my data, they'll refuse to take me anywhere, knowing that the advertising will cause me to actively avoid their brand.
Advertising is worthwhile only when it generates more in profits than it costs. Good luck on that.
If this were feasible, those same businesses would already be operating public transit (buses with drivers) with the same premise. So what's missing? Ah, it's income qualification be make sure the passengers have enough disposable income to make purchases likely. Now THAT I can believe.
"He took a duck in the face at 250 knots." -- William Gibson, Pattern Recognition
I remember being a tourist in China. The good old CITS had the van/bus stopping to visit various shopping locations between historical or cultural stops. This would fit right into their model.
The cost of a taxi probably cannot go below $1/mile (US). The average distance of a ride varies by city, but let's say 5 miles. So $5 is the cost that must be covered. How much would a customer have to spend at the mall to pay for that taxi ride? The profit margin at retail stores varies from 1.3% (pharmacy)-3.5% (high end department store). So the average customer would have to spend at least $200 per trip to make this business model pay. As others have pointed out, the wealthier customers will not use this service, so $200 seems wildly optimistic.
COE