Before we cared about how many children were killed by cars, kids piling onto bench seats was standard. Car seats are only required because car crashes are common.

If the safety promise of self-driving is delivered, car seats will become unnecessary.

> If the safety promise of self-driving is delivered, car seats will become unnecessary.

If the total rate of accidents with self driving cars is so low that adults don't need seat belts and airbags, that might be true.

I don't think anyone projects that to be the near-term result of self-driving cars being mixed with human-driven cars on the road.

Or at least consolidate to fewer form factors that are more predictable to install or provide in the boot for those requiring them.

That's a good argument to make... eventually, perhaps when our kids have kids.

That sounds complicated and expensive, I think there will instead be a number of preferred cars in service, some for 1 baby, some for 1 small kid, some for 1 baby and 1 small kid, some for 2 small kids... or simpler, family cars with 2 variable kids‘ seats installed.

more likely a standard attachment system - like today isofix but with more payload options - with people purchasing (or renting as part of the service itself) the options as needed

don't forget to stock all the kids' toys in those cars.

On the subject of kids, I’d much rather my teenage daughter took a ride by herself in a self-driving car than a regular taxi.