This morning we got an email from a reader called Mitch:

I for one, can’t wait to get my hands on a driverless car. At the age of 20, Doctor’s discovered a tumor in my brainstem and with the advancement of modern technology, I am still alive. Yes, I hate the fact that I have no balance, can’t walk, run, or ride a bike…

I have bad depth perception,so insurance is through the roof, but would love a driverless car just to go to Dunkin donuts for coffee!

Globally 10% of the population has a disability (15% if you believe the WHO). For those of us in the developed world, some form of disability (and by extension loss of mobility) is almost inevitable as we enter our final years. (On the other hand if you’re like me and are prone to sports injuries, ending up in a sling or crutches also temporarily prevents me from driving).

Driverless cars are going to allow millions of people with disabilities to become more mobile and able to participate in the economy and society. The same goes for other disadvantaged groups, namely, households at the bottom of the socio-economic ladder who live outside their city’s job and transport hubs.

I think in the end this is why driverless cars will become a reality, the market is there for one thing. For another, I think most politicians and policy makers will will want to encourage this technology. Its preferable to help millions of their less well off constituents rather than hinder it to preserve jobs in the transport sector.

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