Autonomous or self-driving cars are a modern transportation innovation that is truly revolutionary in how it could simplify everyday life. However, this technological phenomenon has been slow to catch on with Americans, despite great advances in its feasibility and performance. Let's take a look at the diffusion of innovation for self-driving cars.
Pioneers: Early automotive innovators, engineers in Japan, and contemporary figures such as Elon Musk.
Early Adopters: People in foreign countries with larger populations and more drivers (European cities), rich people in America, and Uber.
Late Adopters: The general American public is still skeptical of autonomous vehicles, due to safety concerns and our deeply ingrained car culture. Racing legend Mario Andretti famously said "I'd rather be dead before self-driving cars take over, I just love driving so much."
Laggers: American auto manufacturers have also been slow to develop self-driving cars for sale in the states, due to them not being street-legal in every state quite yet.
We are still in the midst of the experimental/launch phase of autonomous cars/vehicles. There have been very few early adopters of this technology, due to its current impracticality and legality. It is tough to say whether or not self-driving will be the next big breakthrough, but with the rich car culture in America and the freedoms given by driving oneself, it is not likely to take over society in the near future.
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