Everyone seems to have a hand in the autonomous-vehicle cookie jar. But are manufacturers just looking to cash in on a fad, or could self-driving cars be exactly what the world needs?
Not only will you look super cool in your hands-free sedan, but you could be helping the economy. McKinsey estimates that additional free time in a self-driving car could generate about $5.5 billion a year in digital revenue, as people shop online from the car.
That number could skyrocket to as much as $140 billion if even 25 minutes of the occupant's commute is spent buying things from the Web, Reuters suggested.
Major automakers—Daimler's Mercedes-Benz and Volkswagen's Audi—have already installed advanced driver assistance systems, but face challenges from upstarts like Tesla Motors, Google, and perhaps even Apple.
As Google has argued, meanwhile, self-driving cars can also help cut down on accidents. Autonomous vehicles could eliminate 90 percent of accidents, prevent up to $190 billion in damages and health costs, and save thousands of lives.
Those changes could begin forming as early as 2030, when McKinsey believes mass adoption of auto-piloted vehicles will begin.
Volvo announced last month that it will provide self-driving cars to 100 customers in Sweden by 2017, as part of the "Drive Me" project. Even ride-sharing service Uber is getting in on the action with plans for a self-driving taxi.
Editor's Note: This story was updated at 12:10 p.m. Eastern with more details from McKinsey & Company.