Maybe when they develop a safe, reliable autopilot system, they'll offer it for sale to the public. Some firms seem to have gotten that backwards...

It has always seemed that Google view robocars as a long-term revolutionary concept, while car companies see them as another gaudy add-on like entertainment centers or heated seats. It's not yet clear which is the right stance to take as a firm, but Tesla's recent troubles might be an indication.

Which is exactly why I think it's a rather unfair comparison. They are two different things that may have the same outcome.