I think the biggest benefit for self-driving cars is that there is really no big corporation or lobbying group that is against this technology. Car manufacturers probably would have put up the biggest battle but they are all pushing for the adoption of the technology. Had car manufacturers felt this technology was a thread to their business model, you'd definitely see a lot of push back and crazy stipulations.
Interesting point -- presumably this means that the existing manufacturers think they can compete in this market, or steer it someplace where they can compete. I wonder if they're right.
