Why Make Cars Robots When You Could Have Robots Drive Cars?
Pods vs. Bots and the Cultural Psychology of a Driverless Future
Self-driving vehicles and humanoid robots are both inching into everyday life—but at different speeds, and with different public reactions. Tesla, for example, is piloting its first robotaxi service in Austin with a small, closely monitored fleet. Meanwhile, Amazon is reportedly training humanoid robots for package delivery, testing them on obstacle courses and sending them on “field trips” to simulate real-world conditions. But the real question isn’t “when will this be possible?”— it’s “when will people actually want it?”
After years of hype, fully autonomous vehicles are progressing much more slowly than predicted. The tech is improving—AV systems are reducing crashes, optimizing traffic, and saving time—but large-scale personal adoption is still years away. According to McKinsey, most privately-owned AVs won’t reach broad deployment until the late 2020s or early 2030s. Fleet-based robotaxis and delivery vans will come first, but mainstream car buyers still aren’t ready to give up the wheel.
Trust is a major hurdle. A 2024 survey from the American Automobile Association (AAA) found only 13% of U.S. drivers feel comfortable riding in a self-driving car. Even younger generations remain divided. A recent YouGov poll found that urban residents are more open to AVs than those in rural areas—but overall, hesitancy remains high. Many people associate driving with freedom, identity, or even joy. Luxury and performance cars—from Mercedes to Mustangs—still symbolize status, aspiration, and power. It’s hard to imagine people trading in that experience for a featureless pod, no matter how good for climate change it is.
Meanwhile, humanoid robots are becoming more capable, but not yet road-ready. Companies like Tesla and Figure AI are building bipedal robots that can walk, lift, and navigate warehouse environments, with Figure AI aiming to ship 100,000 units by 2029. Amazon has started trials of humanoid delivery bots trained to climb stairs and operate in urban settings. Driving, however, remains a higher hurdle—navigating unpredictable roads in real-time is still well beyond the reflexes and reliability of current robots. So, for now, the “Megan Fox nanny” model from Netflix’s Subservience remains science fiction.
The cultural reaction to humanoid robots is mixed. Research shows people are generally more comfortable interacting with robots that have friendly, human-like features—but only up to a point. The “uncanny valley” effect kicks in when robots become too lifelike, triggering discomfort instead of trust. Still, studies suggest humanoid robots may find broader acceptance than people expect, especially in support roles like elder care or household assistance.
The likely outcome isn’t a clear winner—it’s a gradual, uneven evolution. In cities, autonomous fleets may gain ground. In homes, humanoid robots could appear in high-income households or specialized settings as soon as 2026 before going mainstream. And across the board, many people will keep driving their own Escalades and 911s for years to come—not because they have to—because they want to.
The real turning point won’t be a technical breakthrough. It’ll be when these technologies earn emotional acceptance. And that’s about more than functionality—it’s about trust, aesthetics, and whether people see the machine as a tool or a threat. The future may be autonomous, but the adoption curve will be deeply human.