Philosoraptor

Great comment.

They have radar and other sensors. Why the headlights?

I marvel at how I just accepted everything back then. NOT ONCE did I stop and think "Ok, so how do those skinny tubes bear all that weight...what keeps those places from falling down?" LOL

A guy at work brought in a vintage Popular Science magazine from 1937. It belonged to his father in law. And it was touting the vehicles of the future. The ones in the article were capable of flight. There were even advertisements about the benefits of smoking.

Lol. Yeah articles like that. One article showed a guy in a deep sea diving suit. And the caption was that his job was really stressful and Luckys help calm his nerves.

Pedestrians would need to be able to see the car.

Haha good one!

According to the article I read the cars tested maneuvered perfectly in total darkness. However if you look at a photo of the car, they have headlights.

I guess so people who don't drive a self driving car can see them.

You're assuming every one is equally well-off, financially speaking,
and we know that's not true in the real world.

Or, we could wait until the AI of self-driving cars becomes so advanced that sentient cars are invented. They can think for themselves and see where they are going instead of relying on sensors and maps.

You go ahead and wait if you want to. My old bag of skin & bones isn't gonna last that long!

At that point, ubers will take over as the new supreme race. The fact that they will now sentient beings will give them the power to rule the planet. Humans will be slaves to them, as gas pump workers and slightly higher status mechanics.

LOL At the rate robotics is progressing, I don't think we'll even be needed to pump their gas!

So that they are more visible to other drivers...