New technology never stops. It doesn’t even slow down.
Look where we are today with computers, cellphones, GPS, cameras catching our every move, and a million other things.
I can open my garage door, change the temperature in my house, and several other things right from my iPhone.
My oldest son is a huge fan of technology and runs his entire life using his iPhone. When I visit him, I’m shocked at what he’s capable of operating with that device.
But, last week I had the biggest shock of my life, from Mr Technology himself, my son.
In 2013 he bought a Tesla car. By today’s standards it’s way behind the current Tesla models. He takes good care of it, replaced the battery once, and it painted three times, and he loves the car.
Two weeks ago he needed to have his car in the shop for a couple of issues. The dealership gave him a loaner. Not just any loaner but a brand new self-driving car.
I heard these things may exist someday but I didn’t know they were already available. Could have something to do with the fact that I haven’t watched the news, read a magazine or newspaper in almost six years. I’m sure I’ve missed a few other things also.
Anyhoo…he FaceTimed me the other day and mentioned this loaner car and how it drives itself. He was explaining what this car can all do while he’s not controlling it.
For added excitement he took ‘me’ along for a ride. He didn’t have to touch the steering wheel, the directionals turn themselves on and off, the car knows the speed limit but if you’re in a hurry, there’s some button you can push to move things along, and any destination you enter into the GPS, it takes you right there.
I simply cannot imagine that my Type-A, be-in-control-of-everything personality will be parking a car like that in my garage any time soon.
Out of curiosity, and knowing how much my son is like his mom, I asked him how he likes the car, and how he is freely giving up all control to a piece of computerized metal with four wheels.
And by the way, my son lives in Miami. Many times I have experienced their bumper to bumper, five to seven lanes wide, people darting in and out, horn-honking traffic. Now let’s see how that fancy-shmancy car handles that!!!
The first day he had to drive it home he could not give up 100% control. He tried. He was jumpy when the car was driving itself.
The second day he said things were a little easier giving up control.
The third day happened to be Valentine’s Day. He took his wife and kids out for a nice dinner and the car got them to the restaurant and home without him touching the steering wheel once.
Here’s the kicker. The fourth day he had a really rough day at work. It’s about a thirty to forty-five minute ride home. He got in the car, tapped the screen for his home address, and sat back.
He woke up from a sound sleep in his driveway.
I have no words.
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