As it stands today, unmanned vehicles (entirely operated by AI with no human intervention) still has shortcomings from accidents or collisions. Also, how would society react to AI being the driver? If there’s no steering wheel on an entirely AI operated car: how can you override its protocols when it becomes rogue? There are “self driving” cars, but how many use that as their main mode of transportation than driving a car?
The technology for it exists, but remains rather niche since there’s still more cars driven by people than cars operated by AI. Do YOU want to replace your own car with an AI operated one or rather keep one meant to be used by humans? As of now, it’s rather rare unless you happened to spot one whilst on the road. Most car dealerships only sell “normal” cars intended for humans, even Teslas still require a human driver.
I like being able to intervene (especially for parking and minor repositioning and stuff), but I have to say FSD on the newer models of Tesla with lidar is pretty good: it is actually less convenient to actually drive than to let it drive you. Of course that’s both because the self driving is very decent AND because by removing the gear stalks it’s sort of less convenient to drive manually IMO.
You still have to be more or less engaged which is how it should be, but it doesn’t get tired or distracted and drift in lanes, it doesn’t look out the window and forget to brake or brake too hard, and it effectively raises the quality bottom line.
Now, of course, just like everyone else, I’m an above average driver and also NN driven vehicles aren’t PERFECT so why the hell would you let them drive anyway?
I all seriousness I like the option to offload to a more or less functional autopilot, but I wouldn’t be comfortable in a car with no controls or overrides at all at this point.