Summary
In this episode of Startalk, host Neil deGrasse Tyson and co-host Chuck Nice discuss the topic of self-driving cars with Larry Burns, a former GM employee and current advisor to Google. Burns advocates for the reinvention of the entire transportation system with electrically-driven, diverse sources of energy, connected, coordinated, shared, and driverless cars. The goal is to deliver a new experience that takes away the negatives of car ownership and addresses concerns such as fatalities, oil dependence, and climate change. The big automakers are being reactive to these more innovative and nimble companies such as Google and Uber who are testing experimental driverless cars. Larry Burns also discusses the development of the env, a two-person balance machine, and the potential for shared vehicle systems to reduce out-of-pocket costs of travel and owning a car. The ultimate goal is to save time and money for the average American.
The context also discusses the potential economic and societal implications of the transition to self-driving cars. The shift has the potential to impact various industries, including automobile, energy, insurance, retail, and food consumption. However, the transition may lead to job loss for drivers, which is a significant concern. The legal and ethical implications of accidents and fatalities involving self-driving cars are also discussed. There has been one fatality in a Tesla self-driving car, which had autopilot technology.
The discussion also revolves around the use of autonomous technology in transportation, including drones, robots, and flying cars. The idea of flying cars is being explored, with Uber and Elon Musk proposing vertical takeoff and landing electric vehicles. However, there are regulatory and technological hurdles to overcome. The conversation also touches on the potential benefits of autonomous transportation, such as reducing waste and increasing sustainability.
Overall, while there is still work to be done, the potential for automation in transportation is exciting. The context discusses how there is a sea change in the market as more players are investing in automation and mobility. The example of Ford, which has transitioned from being an automaker to an automaker and a mobility company, is given. Automation is expected to impact various industries such as transportation, trains, drones, construction, agriculture, mining, trucking, and flying. The conversation also touches on the idea of shared tools, where people can call up a tool and have it delivered to them, eliminating the need for owning and storing tools. The limit of the Uber model is also discussed, where people don't need to own a screwdriver or any tools because they can call them up and have them delivered. The conversation ends with a reminder to keep looking up and a sign-off by the host, Neil deGrasse Tyson.
