We will be having ‘manual mode’ cars for a very long time, undoubtedly Constitutionally protected in the country that practically invented driverless. ‘Notice and Get Noticed’ will therefore need to be the rule for decades to come. ‘Inconspicuous’ is an interesting issue in the light of what happened in Arizona, where Waymo’s driverless cars were vandalized, its ‘chauffeurs’ bullied. ‘Go small’ might be the way to go (implement Level 4–5 driverless).

Wraparound visor-like window enables the person behind the steering wheel to have (1) unobstructed peripheral sight. Due to its passenger layout (‘driver’ is seated to the right and has no person sitting next to him/her) and to a cabin that tapers toward the rear, there are NO blind spots (2) — meant to heighten awareness and alertness, keep the ‘driver’ involved. (3) The autonomous tech is able to ‘see’ the vicinity more clearly because of the vehicle’s rounded and sloping outer contours and sleek footprint, more so than the one on top of a wide, squarish SUV can. SUVs already have the handicap that they isolate the driver from what’s happening around the vehicle.

Left: ‘360 degree vision’ helmet inspirational. Rear-view is projected on the inside of the helmet’s visor.

Cheers, Ralph