How will we know 'the end is near'? When Level 5 comes, you'll know the end is near.
Level 5 cars are robots that will create 'on demand travel' (i.e. robotic taxis).
The Bad.
2020: You'll see all sorts of 'robotic mobility networks' pop up. Big money* will buy fleets of Level 5's and deploy them on a city by city basis.
2023: Once these 'mobility networks' become ubiquitous (like Uber is), --and-- if the robots can get you around town cheaply, your monthly payment customers will disappear.
The Good.
2020: Your customers will buy a Level 5 car from you with the intent to profit from his robot when he's not using it (i.e. uber). Also, What a great level 3 & level 4 used car market we'll have.
2023: Millions of empty robots running around will cause local government to highly regulate & tax robotic taxis. It will get so bad that governments will reward HOVs (think uberPOOL).
2028?
Robotic 'mobility networks' are competing against each other, driving costs lower. Effortless travel & lower costs cause more consumption. Local governments will create regulations to reduce congestion and create new tax streams (the sales tax loss alone will be devastating).
That was fun
-Uncle Joe
*Big money will be running into this space, like:
-Entrepreneurs (e.g. Uber, Lyft, etc), and...
-OEMs will create 'mobility brands' to sell on-demand travel direct to the user.
-Giant companies that excel at logistics
-Robotic RV's will threaten short haul Airlines
-and on and on and on....
