There is no doubt that connected devices and technologies are transforming how humans and machines work together in places like operating rooms, factories, and roadways/intersections. Increasingly, AVs (autonomous vehicles) paired with smarter infrastructure is paving the way for safer roadways, which leads to fewer transportation-related fatalities. According to Allied Market Research, the global autonomous vehicle market will reach $2,161.79 billion by 2030, up from $76.13 billion in 2020 and representing a CAGR (compound annual growth rate) of 40.1% between 2021 and 2030. Part of this market growth will be thanks to advancements in cellular technologies. Last week, Cisco and Verizon announced a successful POC (proof-of-concept) demo in Las Vegas that will help bring applications like robotaxis and autonomous delivery bots to more people and more places in the near future.

Self-driving scooters could soon be whizzing around without riders in a tech development designed to improve cities' transport-sharing networks. A California-based start-up, Tortoise, is working on self-driving technology with which bikes and scooters drive themselves home after someone has used them. And taxi-hailing app Uber announced earlier in the year that it was working towards the same goal. Set to launch next month, the initiative is a progression for the temporary bike, scooter and Segway hire schemes which already exist around the world. It could mean fewer of the bikes and scooters are left lying around in obscure places and that they all return to charging stations or busy areas when not in use.