[astrange]

Where do the inputs for the machines come from? ex: having a machine that generates CPUs out of sand and works for free would mean cheaper CPUs, but it would also mean a lot more employment in the sand industry, and there might not be a machine for creating sand.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jevons_paradox

[ericd]

Large mining robots? Some dump trucks are already autonomous, I'm guessing excavators aren't far.

[astrange]

Do they stop being autonomous when they get a flat tire?

[ericd]

Currently, yeah, but people will certainly work down the priority chain.