[StavrosK]

> with automated tincans on wheels

I think this was the most insightful part of your comment. When cars are self-driving, there's no reason they'll look like cars any more. There will be people-carriers, but they won't be the only vehicles on the road when they don't have to carry people any more.

Instead, what about small cargo carriers, like bike messengers without the bike? Imagine basically coolers on wheels, zipping along with cars. Why have a full-blown car or motorcycle when you can have a tin can on wheels deliver stuff?

[ams6110]

> Why have a full-blown car or motorcycle when you can have a tin can on wheels deliver stuff?

For one reason, to prevent people from stealing the goods. I used to deliver pizza. It was pretty much a given in certain areas that if I was not very careful about locking my car that I'd get pizzas stolen out of it while I was parked making a delivery.

A self-driving igloo cooler is just going to get kicked over and emptied.

[alaskamiller]

Those are here in silicon valley already.

[StavrosK]

Really? What do they look like?

[Baeocystin]

An igloo cooler on wheels, more or less. They are sized for sidewalk travel, not street.

[edit] Here's a brief video that shows what they look like.

http://www.cnbc.com/2017/04/21/robots-are-now-deliving-food-...

[StavrosK]

Huh, that looks very interesting, thanks. For some reason, I keep thinking those robots look like they're one wrong turn away from being dismantled by thieves in seconds...

[Baeocystin]

I'm sure you're right. This other video claims it isn't a problem, but (simply my opinion here) it watches more like SV bubblethink than something based in reality. We'll eventually see, one way or the other.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UPZwnc_Lk2M