Self-driving
cars might just be the perfect companion for those long, traffic hours without
the need to have your feet active on the gas and the brake. I mean, I would
love it. I can spend my time napping on the back seat of my car as the vehicle
drives me home. I could even dress up and have my automatic chauffer handle the
driving duties, even optimizing the gas and energy usage of the vehicle.
IHS Automotive
predicts that the self-driving car’s first generation will be sold in 2020, and
today, many manufacturers are further developing existing technologies. The first
generation of vehicles, like the first generation of smart devices, will cost a
great fortune. However, many people, including those in the Generation Y, will
want to own one, even if it may cost £300,000.
Imagine all the
units sold during the first few years. Costing as much as a new house, the
prices will drive down as the technology improves. New businesses will be born
to customise and bring out the efficiency of these vehicles for owners. Such a
tempting offer at investment, right?
Think again.
I don’t believe that the market will be quite lively in 2020 in anticipation of
self-
driving cars. As a driver myself, despite the tests, most of these
vehicles can still have live errors, and consumers can be split in half in
deciding to own a new self-driving vehicle. It is a situation wherein you have
to see and learn from the lessons of others before you plunge in, yourself.
If you’re
planning to invest with manufacturers making self-driving cars, anticipate many
bugs and fixes, which are costly. But then again, if you can endure it, or at
least wait half a decade (anticipate a 25% rise in the company stock market value),
you can be sure your money grows. Let your money cover the risk instead of
paying for much more than that covered risk.
