Irritated by Confusion: Totally Driverless Is NOT Partly Human Driven

The cute transit-like driverless shuttle in the video is autonomous, as in there is no human operator or need for a human driver on board. There is no driver to say hello, goodbye, or thank you, or supply directions (not that you need any because why would you ever ask a person such a question when you have your phone). This is a completely driverless Navya shuttle being tested - and actually in operation elsewhere - at Heathrow Airport as promotion of a first-mile/last-mile solution.

Not all vehicles that are called driverless, self-driving, or autonomous actually are. News organizations, or should I say "media," every darn day confuse semi-autonomous, which are most cars being sold that take over particular driving tasks or part of the trip and actual, completely driverless vehicles. I would be a rich woman if I had a dollar for every instance of mislabeling or confusion. A Tesla with autopilot and similar contraptions being sold by mainstream automakers are NOT, repeat NOT, driverless; they are partially driverless, semi-autonomous vehicles that require a human on board, licensed, in the driver's seat, attentive, and ready to take over the driving function. 

Who cares?

You should care because some idiot in the driver's seat next to you in the right lane might not really believe that his or her car only sometimes drives itself and it might, without much warning, need some attention NOW. Oh yes, warnings are given, but on the 89th drive to work in that car when the "driver" has become accustomed to watching videos or closing eyes during the podcast, are you sure that "driver" is paying any attention to the road? You know, the road your kids or your mom or your sweetheart are on.

Rant over.

Uber-Volvo vs. Uber-Mercedes is like a one-night stand compared with meeting the parents and talking about moving in together

Uber's deal with Volvo involves Uber driverless technology on Volvos. There is no commitment to stay together or for anything permanent. Uber's deal with Daimler, which owns Mercedes-Benz, mixes the driverless technology developed or acquired by both companies. I have been searching and there's not too many details. This sounds much more complicated and integrated than the Volvo deal. It will also, if it lasts, involve manufacturing, which is something Uber would need help with.