Tech tales! Self-driving cars still a dream, says Uber CEO Travis Kalanick

Uber CEO Travis Kalanick says if the technology is right, there are many places across the world to make roads safer and humane.

“Isn’t that the thing (laughs)? I could give you self-driving nirvana if it’s in the desert, there is no oncoming traffic and no pedestrians. I can do it right now. The problem is I don’t think I could take you anywhere that you wanted to go (laughs). So that’s just the state of technology.

Remember, Uber is a global business. We don’t think just in terms of the US. There are a ton of places around the world that will clear the path to make sure that safer roads, that are more humane, that give time back to the people, that have less congestion and are less polluting — they’ll make that happen tomorrow if the tech is right.

So, it’s all about the tech. I could geek out with you on the tech and what needs to be done, but in order to make this a reality, there are things that haven't been invented yet.

That’s what makes this problem special and interesting and challenging. It’s not just an engineering challenge...We are figuring out as we go what has to be built because even when you have the world’s experts on this challenge…there are things that haven’t been invented yet. And that’s part of the fun.”