Will our smart gadgets become trusted or oppressive companions?

The San Jose Mercury reports:

Consider the self-driving cars being developed by Google and many automakers. Of more than 15,000 vehicle owners surveyed this year by market researcher J.D. Power, only about 1 in 4 expressed interest in having their next car chauffeur them about. Among those looking forward to that is 61-year-old Deryl Stanley, of Livermore, vice president of the Altamont Cruisers, whose members customize classic cars.

"One day I'll be 90 years old and need to go to the doctor, pick up some groceries and drop off some laundry," he said. "It sure would be nice to go out to the garage, punch in where I want to go, and let it take me there." Besides, he added, the autonomous vehicles "could virtually eliminate all the problems associated with driving under the influence."

An article well worth your time.