The Driverless Car

Okay, I've said it before and I'll say it again. A study of history is essential to anticipating the future. It just seems inevitable to me that driverless, networked vehicles will dominate the roadways in coming decades. What guys like Carl Fisher would have to say about that is hard to know, but given his interest in the good roads movement as well as projects like the Lincoln Highway my guess is he would have opinions. He was a leading edge guy and would be fascinated at the prospect of imagining the future.
 
How the driverless car affects motorsport is hard to predict but my guess is that auto racing - along with motorcycles and the like - is headed toward a future status similar to horse racing today. Unfortunately a niche, special interest pastime. As for everyday life there is the promise of some very real benefits: more efficient use of energy and a reduction in fatal accidents or injuries due to auto accidents. It's hardly the stuff of heroism except to say that saving lives and improving the quality of life are good works.