Americans' expectations for autonomous vehicles have jumped significantly, with 31% now believing driverless cars will be common within five years—up from 19% in 2018. However, actual purchase intent remains flat at 19%.
A new Gallup poll reveals a substantial shift in American attitudes toward driverless vehicles, though adoption sentiment hasn't translated to consumer demand.
Nearly one-third of US adults predict autonomous cars will become commonplace in the near term, marking a 12-percentage-point increase from six years ago. The rise reflects growing familiarity with self-driving technology and expanded testing on public roads.
The ownership gap tells a different story. Only 19% of respondents say they would own or lease a driverless car—unchanged from 2018. This disconnect suggests Americans view autonomous vehicles as inevitable but remain hesitant about personal adoption.
The discrepancy likely reflects concerns about safety, reliability, and regulatory frameworks. While technological progress has accelerated industry timelines, consumer confidence in the technology's readiness for widespread use appears to lag behind industry expectations.
The data indicates a market still uncertain about the transition, even as infrastructure and development efforts accelerate.
Apple's next Apple Pencil generation could feature replaceable batteries, driven by incoming EU right-to-repair regulations. The redesign aims to improve device repairability and longevity.
Apple is already in production on its M7 chip with major neural processing upgrades, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. The company plans an M7 Ultra variant with 1.5TB of RAM and an M8 chip for 2028.
XL Batteries CEO Tom Sisto credits serendipity for discovering an organic compound that forms the foundation of the company's flow battery technology. The breakthrough could help the firm achieve its goal of storing one-third of the world's electrons.
Apple's wearable and health initiatives require significant upgrades to compete with emerging competitors. The company is simultaneously pushing forward with AI integration across iOS 27, including a redesigned Siri app.