Will Generation Beta Ever Need to Learn How to Drive?
Imagine telling your grandkids you used to drive a car yourself. They might look at you like you just claimed to have ridden a dinosaur to school. That’s the vision Uri Levine, co-founder of Waze, is betting on. He’s convinced that Generation Beta—kids born from now until 2039—will never need to learn how to drive. In fact, Levine believes that a generation from now, the idea of driving your own car will sound as strange as operating an elevator does today.
But is this just tech optimism, or are we really on the cusp of a world where driving is obsolete? Let’s dig into what’s fueling these predictions, and what it could mean for you and the next wave of city dwellers.
How Close Are We to Fully Driverless Mobility Services?
Levine’s forecast isn’t just about kids skipping driver’s ed. He’s talking about a seismic shift in how we all get around. In his view, most paid mobility services—think taxis, rideshares, even delivery vans—will be fully autonomous within a decade. That’s a bold claim, but it’s not coming out of thin air.
Autonomous vehicles have been inching onto city streets for years. Companies like Waymo have logged millions of driverless miles, and pilot programs in cities like Phoenix and San Francisco are already ferrying real passengers with no one behind the wheel. According to a 2023 report from McKinsey, the global autonomous vehicle market could reach $300 billion by 2030 if regulatory and technological hurdles continue to fall.
Still, it’s not all smooth sailing. Most self-driving services are limited to a handful of cities, and regulatory approval varies wildly from place to place. For now, the idea of hailing a robotaxi in rural Nebraska? Not happening. But in dense urban centers, the writing’s on the wall: human drivers are slowly being nudged out.
What Happens to City Life When Human Drivers Disappear?
Let’s picture a city where almost no one drives themselves. The ripple effects would be massive. For starters, robotaxis could make car ownership feel unnecessary, especially in urban areas where parking is a nightmare and traffic is relentless. Levine draws a parallel to elevators—once operated by people, now entirely automated. Cars could follow suit.
But there’s more. If autonomous vehicles dominate, city planners might rethink everything from parking lots to public transit. Streets could become safer and less congested. Logistics and delivery could get a major upgrade, with autonomous vans bringing goods straight to your door—no more waiting in line at the shoe store.
It’s not just theory, either. Cities like Singapore and Dubai are already integrating autonomous shuttles into their transit systems. The World Economic Forum projects that by 2035, up to 30% of city traffic could be made up of shared autonomous vehicles, freeing up valuable urban space for parks, housing, or bike lanes.
Will Self-Driving Cars Really Save Us Money and Time?
Here’s where things get personal—your wallet and your calendar. Right now, a big chunk of your Uber fare goes to the driver. Remove the driver, and suddenly that $100 ride could drop to $25. That’s not just speculation; a 2022 analysis by the Boston Consulting Group estimated that fully autonomous ride-hailing could cut costs by up to 60% compared to today’s services.
And then there’s the time factor. Americans spend an average of 54 hours a year stuck in traffic, according to INRIX’s 2023 Global Traffic Scorecard. Imagine reclaiming that time—reading, working, or just catching up on sleep while your robotaxi handles the commute. The result? Pure magic.
Could Autonomous Vehicles Replace Traditional Public Transport?
If robotaxis become cheap and convenient, what happens to buses and trains? Levine suggests that traditional public transportation could be disrupted, or at least forced to evolve. Autonomous shuttles could offer on-demand, point-to-point service, blurring the line between private and public transit.
Some cities are already experimenting. In Helsinki, autonomous minibuses are being tested as a supplement to existing transit, filling gaps in routes and schedules. The flexibility of self-driving fleets could make public transport more responsive and less reliant on fixed schedules.
Of course, there are challenges. Equity and accessibility remain big questions—will everyone benefit, or just those in affluent neighborhoods? And what about jobs for professional drivers? Policymakers will need to navigate these waters carefully.
What’s Holding Back the Robotaxi Revolution?
If this future sounds like it’s right around the corner, a reality check is in order. Despite the hype, fully autonomous vehicles are still rare outside a few test markets. Waymo, for example, has been offering paid rides since 2020, but only in select U.S. cities. In most of the world, self-driving taxis are still a distant dream.
Technical hurdles remain—think unpredictable weather, complex urban environments, and the challenge of making AI as adaptable as a human driver. There’s also the matter of public trust. A 2024 AAA survey found that 68% of Americans are still wary of riding in a fully self-driving car.
And then there’s regulation. Laws vary not just by country, but by city. Some places welcome autonomous vehicles with open arms; others are far more cautious. It could take years, even decades, before robotaxis are as common as, say, food delivery apps.
Are We Ready to Let Go of the Wheel?
There’s a cultural side to all this, too. For many, driving isn’t just about getting from A to B—it’s about freedom, control, even identity. The stick-shift diehards and Sunday cruisers aren’t giving up their keys without a fight. But for the next generation, the car might be just another app on their phone.
So, are you ready to hand over the wheel to an algorithm? Or will you be the last holdout, clinging to your driver’s license like a badge of honor? Either way, the road ahead is changing fast.
The big takeaway? The end of driving as we know it isn’t about perfection—it’s about smarter adjustments. Start with one change this week, and you’ll likely spot the difference by month’s end.