Driverless cars are a lovely idea – we can go to the pub, act like we’ve got our own chauffeur, work in the back seat. There’s no cab driver giving us his worldview of American politics, just peace and quiet, and our own private pod. But what happens when you realise that this lovely private pod isn’t private at all? Driverless cars track your movements. Random becomes predictable becomes dossier. The pods can be redirected. Police station? Your scary ex’s home? Enforced trip to hospital as your implant registers your blood-pressure risk? Hijacked? Kidnapped? Autonomous isn’t anonymous.
