Hacker Newsnew | past | comments | ask | show | jobs | submitlogin

I do. I want to store stuff in it (my assorted gear I want nearby wherever I go but won't be lugging around every time I leave the vehicle), I need specific features (say, child seats), I want to customize it (be it bumper stickers or off-roading bumpers), I want to know that there WILL be a suitable vehicle ready when I need transport ("whadayamean there are no vehicles available with two child seats? my girl needs a doctor NOW but an ambulance is super-expensive overkill!" or "it's 1AM and I have to wait 15 minutes for one to arrive? with my own car I could be home in 15 minutes."), and I don't want to deal with consequences of strangers driving it before me (everything from annoying seat settings to vandalism & bodily fluids).

Sounds like you're thinking of a self-driving taxi, overlooking the many reasons why people don't want taxis (not deeply relying on others being a huge one for many of us).




Yours is a use-case that I often forget.

For you, a car isn't just a conveyance. It's also a storage locker. And a second home, in some ways.


Such is a way of life for most American drivers. We spend a LOT of time in our cars. The freedom of "mine, now" transportation is...visceral.


I don't think anyone's trying to pass laws banning owning one's own vehicle once self-driving cars become ubiquitous. I imagine you'll always be able to own your own car, and store whatever in it.

(I also suspect your insurance will start to climb through the roof once self-driving cars do become ubiquitous, because computers will be able to be far better drivers than people, once the software's in good working condition.)


Who said anything about banning? Parent post just asked why anyone would want to own a car.


If 90% of the cars are taxis, there won't be much of an issue with availability. The cost difference should be huge too.

I do like driving around with loads of crap in my car though, I think some kind of standard secure box storage system would be helpful, a wheeled box you can lock up, like a bike rack, standard size so you can easily fit 4 of them in the taxis




Consider applying for YC's Fall 2025 batch! Applications are open till Aug 4

Guidelines | FAQ | Lists | API | Security | Legal | Apply to YC | Contact

Search: