Glad you’re smiling :)
...not sure what I’m assuming, considering these are the very discussions I have each day. I maybe played down some technical challenges that remain but an awful lot is already working. Moving from the lab to production though is no small feat, which is my main point.
I understand, for example, that everyone who is anyone has a self piloting program. The same can be said of electric cars. In fact, we've been hearing about the inevitability of electric cars for years. California has rolled back their goals time and again.
Hybrids are doing relatively well (especially Prius) but pure electrics, no. The drop in oil and fuel prices changed decision making. Now it's SUVs, baby. The news that Congress may eliminate the subsidy for electrics has cratered Tesla's stock. What was considered inevitable two years ago is now increasingly a long shot.
Bottom line...you're assuming people want to 'buy' self driving cars. I see no evidence that's any more likely than electrics or micro cars. A certain 'urban' appeal, select situations, but no more than that. Strictly on the margins.
I also believe you're underestimating the complexity and mechanical challenge of self piloted vehicles. It's great they have passed certain tests, but that's a world away from everyday reliability systems...true of any digital solution to an analog problem.
Different time, different people, different technology, but the same theme. Some very smart people fall in love with some technology and consider the adoption of same in evitable. Same old, same old.