Awkward Uber ride is awkward
2 minute read | September 13, 2016
Comedian Peter Kay ruined it for many with his popular stand up ‘bit’ wherein he detailed the awkward exchange revealing every taxi passengers get out of jail free cards:
“Been busy?”
“What time you on till?”
Why Peter?! No longer did we need to sit through the silence, hoping for a wayward driver to do something reckless so you could both vent your anger at them. After all, nothing brings people together more than mutual hate. We were back to square one.
The truth is that while you are busy contemplating your next slice of small talk, the driver is usually busy, you know, driving. They have perfected the art of looking ahead and ignoring the silence. They live for the silence, they’ve seen the ‘bit’, they have no desire to converse and make small talk. You are white noise.
Change is coming
That’s right, you are white noise. Or, at least you were…
Uber and Volvo have announced a $300m deal that will see fully autonomous Uber vehicles coming to Pittsburgh within the next few weeks. Passengers will be able to opt into the scheme via the app and driverless rides will be free (presumably as a way of enticing people to take the risk).
Due to state laws in Pennsylvania, someone must be behind the wheel so passengers will be greeted by a ‘co-pilot’ but the ride will be fully autonomous.
Heaven help that co-pilot.
The sound of silence
If you thought the lifeguard at the Olympic swimming event had a thankless job, imagine having to sit in a car that drives around for eight hours, on its own, as you awkwardly try and find ANYTHING to do besides make small talk with passengers.
While this is the next step toward us all becoming extras in the next Total Recall remake, it does beg the question; what happens to the taxi drivers?
Think of the money
As driverless tech becomes more widespread, the roles of taxi driver, driving instructor, lorry driver, and delivery driver may become obsolete.
While it will take another few years before driverless vehicles become the norm, you can imagine that companies will jump at the chance to have cars that can be driven 24 hours without interruption, breaks or restrictions. What happens to the human element?
In the meantime, we suggest taxi drivers brush up on Game of Thrones, the Premier League and Great British Bake Off to fill in those awkward silences.
Back to resources