As AI robots take over our daily tasks, could they replace cars as our next big household essentials?
As a motoring journalist and avid tech enthusiast, I’ve find myself fascinated and captivated by the evolution of AI and robotic technology and, of course, its impact on our lives. Chiefly in the context of being a car guy, it raises an additional concern for me – where does it leave the now relatively humble automobile if we have a super-intelligent all-singing, all-dancing robot to do all our bidding, and essentially eliminate our need to even leave the house?
Recently, while watching YouTube videos from tech exhibitions like GITEX in the UAE and a big technology event in China, I noticed a significant trend: the rapid advancement of robots, and most potentially, domestic robots. These humanoid machines, designed to assist with everyday tasks, are becoming increasingly sophisticated, raising an intriguing question: could they become the next major household investment, potentially replacing our cars?
Affordable Androids Coming Very Soon!
One of the first things that struck me was the price tag on these new-age machines. We’re not talking about the affordable little vacuum bots we’re used to. No, these fully-fledged domestic robots mooted to cost between £20,000 to £100,000, which is more or less the same price range as a new car these days!
It’s wild to think that your big decision in the near future could be between leasing a brand-new robot assistant or a family SUV.
Changing Lifestyles: Do We Even Need Cars?
Now, let’s think about why that could actually happen. Since the pandemic, a lot of people have realised they don’t need to commute as much – remote work and Zoom calls have taken care of that. So suddenly, there’s less need for that daily car journey to the office.
Plus – we all tend to do a lot of online shopping these days. Instead of spending half a day traipsing around shopping districts looking for what we need, we simple Google it (or it’ll be on Amazon), click ‘buy’ and it’s at the front door within a day or two. As for ordering groceries or meals the same applies – and even those are already being delivered by drones and autonomous delivery mechanisms in some countries already!
What about household chores? Imagine you’ve got a robot that does all the cooking, cleaning, even manages your finances (potentially taking care of your shopping)! In fact, stop imagining, because they are closer to reality than you think. Several companies are planning to start delivering household bots within the next couple of years.
In Star Trek, the android character Data was still considered an extraordinary novelty in the 24th century. But it’s looking highly conceivable that we could have Data-style droids running around among us by the end of this decade!
What if you still need to go places?
Even today, studies indicate that the average car is parked approximately 95% of the time. For instance, the RAC reported that in the UK, cars are parked for about 23 hours a day, with only around 4% of their time spent in motion. So you typically make the second biggest investment in your life – after buying a house – only for it to sit idle for the majority of its life, slowly deteriorating in our harsh weather.
And if you do find yourself needing to make a journey somewhere, apart from the convenience of public transport in most well-developed metropolitan areas, more and more of us make use of an app on our phone to call a car when we need it. Be it Uber or whatever, ride-hailing services have grown massively due to their ease and convenience.
Already in some countries, the drivers of these services are finding themselves being challenged by autonomous and driverless cabs. True autonomous driving technology is now also looking far closer to reality – thanks to AGI (Artificial Generative Intelligence) and improved cameras, radars and lidar technology – than ever before. Again, it’s very likely we could have full autonomous vehicles by the 2030s.
As such, in ten years’ time, we might no longer see a need to actually ‘own’ a car at all. At such a time, the choice between buying a robot or car, becomes an easy one. The robot wins – because it’s your butler, your maid, your business manager and even your companion.
But There’s A Catch – Privacy Concerns!
Not wanting to veer into conspiracy territory, it’s still worth noting that there are legitimate privacy concerns with mobile phones and devices like Alexa listening, watching, and recording us, then mining that data for marketing, advertising, and, some might argue, even surveillance and control.
Imagine when you have a super-intelligent robot living with you, catering to your every need. The “Big Brother” of George Orwell’s 1984 looks quaint by comparison! Having a humanoid robot with you 24/7, connected to the internet and the cloud, always observing, always learning, and always recording.
Now, I’m a big Star Trek fan, and I like to believe in a future where technology and humans can coexist in harmony. But it does make you wonder: are we trading too much of our privacy for convenience?
What About Us Car Enthusiasts?
So what happens to us? The car fans, the motoring enthusiasts? Those of us who love driving, engineering, and all things automotive?
As someone who lives for the thrill of driving, this future feels a bit bleak for car culture. And if we follow through on how our need for mobility could change, the outlook for cars, the auto industry, and us enthusiasts does feel a bit grim. In fact, it’s fair to say robots might replace cars and end all our fun.
Or maybe not. On the flip side, having a robot handle day-to-day tasks could mean more free time to enjoy indulging in hobbies and passions – like driving the cars we love. Imagine weekends spent on leisurely road trips, or rebuilding that V8, or roaming around classic car shows because you’re no longer worn out from daily commutes and errands. More time for passion projects—that sounds like a win for car fans. Or is that too faint a silver lining to try and grab hold of? Too much imbibing of the bright-side juice on my part?
I, Robot
The rise of domestic robots opens up a lot of possibilities, but it’s up to us to steer things in the right direction. They could make life easier, freeing up time and energy, but we need to watch where this tech revolution is heading. If used responsibly, robots and AI could add quality to our lives. But if privacy and control take a backseat, we might find ourselves living in a sci-fi nightmare instead of a dream.
Honestly the way I see it, is that there is no middle-ground. The advent of this new revolution in technology will either create the idyllic utopia we humans have always craved (and which Star Trek depicts for a future Earth) or the post-apocalyptic AI Armageddon inflicted on us by Elon Musk’s equivalent of Skynet? There will be no escape, as the Terminator will be back!
There you have it – a future where we might not just be choosing between a car and a domestic robot, but also one where we must decide between a futuristic paradise and the dystopian demise of the weaker species on the planet – that will be us by the way… if you were still wondering!
Would you give up your car for an all-knowing robot slave? Or is it asking too much of a petrolhead to give up their car? Let me know in the comments!
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