November 27, 2017

In this research article, Curtis Cifuentes, one of Platinum’s long-time investment analysts for the technology sector, explores the key technological developments that have contributed to the gestation of self-driving cars, the possible direct and indirect impacts autonomous vehicles (AVs) may have on a range of industries as well as some of the broader
societal implications they may bring about.

March 19, 2017

NSW Transport and Infrastructure Minister Andrew Constance has claimed advances in technology, such as autonomous vehicles and artificial intelligence, will mean governments will soon cease to provide commuter transport services.

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February 22, 2017

Airbus is planning to test self-piloted personal aircraft by the end of the year as a way of reducing traffic on inner-city roads.

Enders said Airbus is investing in driverless technologies and artificial intelligence, which could lead to them developing a fleet of flying cars.

Enders also noted how the development could affect city planning and infrastructure, saying that flying means you don't need to "pour billions" into concrete bridges and roads.

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February 22, 2017

Uber has announced a partnership with Daimler to operate driverless taxis.

​Daimler will "introduce and operate their own self-driving cars" on Uber's ride-sharing network, meaning that the ride-sharing app acts as a third-party software.

"Auto manufacturers like Daimler are crucial to our strategy because Uber has no experience making cars—and in fact, making cars is really hard," said Uber CEO Travis Kalanick.

February 22, 2017

Tractor-trailers without a human at the wheel will soon barrel onto highways near you. What will this mean for the nation’s 1.7 million truck drivers?  https://www.technologyreview.com/s/603493/10-breakthrough-technologies-2017-self-driving-trucks/

January 23, 2017

Some recent references:-

• 25/11/15 Driverless cars could spell the end for domestic flights.

  • http://puzzlefinancialadvice.com.au/AFR/151125_Driverless_cars_could_spell_the_end_for_domestic_flights.pdf

• 25/5/16 Driverless cars will create the perfect storm for transport industry.

  • http://puzzlefinancialadvice.com.au/AFR/160525_AFR_Driverless_electric_cars_will_create_the_perfect_storm_for_transport_industry.pdf

• 26/10/16 AFR Supercheap driverless cabs to kick public transport to the curb.

  • http://puzzlefinancialadvice.com.au/AFR/161026_AFR_Super-cheap_driverless_cabs_to_kick_mass_transit_to_the_curb.pdf

• 12/Dec/2016 Google stops self-driving car development to work with others.

  • https://techcrunch.com/2016/12/12/google-has-reportedly-stopped-developing-its-own-self-driving-car/

  • Google has reportedly shelved its long-standing plan to develop its own autonomous vehicle in favor of pursuing partnerships with existing car makers. The firm is already working with Fiat Chrysler, per a partnership announced in May, and that could be the start of others to come.

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May 13, 2016

BHP & RIO are implementing driverless trains in the Pilbara to haul iron ore.

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April 24, 2016

Volumes have been written about the possible beneficial (and negative) effects of self-driving cars and systems. But few have studied what industries will be disrupted by the transformations as self-driving devices begin to provide for our transportation needs.

The stakeholders are numerous and the effects can be devastating. Think secretaries, airline reservationists, and all the others disrupted during the emergence of the digital era. The transition to self-driving vehicles and car-sharing systems is likely to cause similar worldwide disruptions. Self-driving vehicles are penetrating a wide variety of industries - from factories to warehouses to underwater and into the skies. For the purposes of this article, the focus will be on cars, trucks and public transport.

Consider the insurance industry. If accident rates go down by 90%, as many are predicting, premiums will need to go down too because the reserves for payouts, which are built into the rates, will go down as well. Also there will likely be fewer insured drivers and car owners thereby lowering the pool of insured people.

Consider hotels and motels and their real estate values and employees - particularly those along the major highways. Why stop at a motel when you can sleep comfortably in a long-haul driverless car? This will likely effect short-haul airlines and airline employees as well.

Think about professional drivers - truckers, taxies, limos, buses, shuttles. It is expected that many will be replaced by on-demand point-to-point self-driving devices. The list goes on and on.

March 11, 2016

Unmanned submarines are being developed - and in due course they will replace manned submarines - being much cheap, more capable, more manoeuvrable, stay under water longer, be more silent.

November 24, 2015

Self-driving cars could disrupt the airline and hotel industries within 20 years as people sleep in their vehicles on the road, according to a senior strategist at Audi.

Short-haul travel will be transformed and the hassle of getting to and from airports eliminated, said Sven Schuwirth, vice president of brand strategy and digital business at the German car brand.

Business travellers will be able to avoid taking domestic flights to meetings and will sleep and work in their cars en route instead of checking into city-centre hotels, he said.

"In the future you will not need a business hotel or a domestic flight," Schuwirth told Dezeen. "We can disrupt the entire business of domestic flights."

October 18, 2015

"Rio Tinto has rolled out fully automated driverless truck fleets at two of its iron ore mines in the Pilbara in Western Australia, in what it says is a world first.  The Anglo-Australian miner is also trialling driverless trains and deploying autonomous drills in the region as it embraces new technologies to cut costs and boost safety."