Driverless Cars Are Here—Could They Be the Next Big Opportunity for Your Small Business?

By Patrick Peterson

Driverless cars seemed like a pipe dream a few decades ago, the stuff of science fiction novels and movies. Not anymore.

Autonomous vehicles (AV) are already here, and it's only a matter of time before robots take over the wheel. It's an inevitability that big tech companies like Alphabet, IBM, and Amazon believe in. Nvidia, Intel, and auto industry giants Ford, Tesla, Nissan, and others are jumping in. Even ride-hailing companies Uber and Lyft are going all-out.

The AV situation is all fine and dandy, but where does that leave small businesses?

Significant developments in the driverless car industry

Autonomous vehicles have come a long way since the Stanford Cart in 1961. After DARPA's involvement in AV in the early 2000s, the technology behind driverless cars has kept getting better and better. Waymo, Alphabet's own take on autonomous vehicles, has rolled testing for its robot taxi service in Phoenix.

Uber is already operating driverless taxis in Phoenix and Pittsburgh. French startup Navya is operating an AV shuttle bus in downtown Las Vegas. And Toyota recently unveiled its concept-i UX car that has a built-in AI they named Yui. Yui can get to know you and read your emotions. The developments in driverless tech are only going to get better over time.

Excellent opportunities for small business

As the AV industry continues to grow, it's going to need plenty of outside help. This is where small businesses can come in and carve a niche for themselves.

Plenty of startups have already taken advantage of this emerging technology. Some small businesses are helping to develop cheaper LIDAR (light detection and ranging) technology. Others are offering automotive wireless technology alternatives.

There's a plethora of other AV parts and tech that are still available and ripe for the picking. Software startups can also take advantage of the need to create services for AV owners. Let's take a look at the future of apps and software in the driverless car industry.

Driverless car industry can be your oyster

The time will come when AV's need to be online all the time. When robots can take the wheel completely, human passengers will have nothing to do in the car. This is where software and app developers come in.

The AI in driverless vehicles will be so smart, it would get to know user habits, emotions, and address needs. AI startups can configure their systems to connect to smart homes and remind the user that she's running out of milk, for example.

Driverless cars will know precisely where the user is, and give recommendations on where to eat or grab a drink. If the AI senses that the user is getting sleepy, it may play music and stop at a coffee shop. Cameras mounted all around the vehicle can do a car history check—even on another car during an accident or if the police issue a bulletin on a suspect.

Other Articles From AllBusiness.com:

• The Complete 35-Step Guide for Entrepreneurs Starting a Business
• 25 Frequently Asked Questions on Starting a Business
• 50 Questions Angel Investors Will Ask Entrepreneurs
• 17 Key Lessons for Entrepreneurs Starting a Business

Mom and pop stores will also benefit

With the adoption of self-driving cars, business models from almost all industries will change. Consumer electronics, telecommunications, and logistics face a significant shift in the way they do business. This shift can only mean good news for small businesses.

Take logistics, for instance. Small mom and pop shops can finally venture into e-commerce because shipping will be much cheaper. Self-driving delivery vehicles will cost less compared to deliveries that have to pay human drivers an hourly wage. Driverless cars are also safer, so you can rest easy that your goods reach their destination in one piece.

For restaurants, food deliveries will have the potential to reach people faster than ever. Backyard kitchens can reach more people by using driverless cars as a mobile food vending machine. People will have the option to choose what they like, and the self-driving kitchen-on-wheels will dispense the food.

If you already have a small e-commerce business, one self-driving car can make multiple deliveries before heading back. Driverless vehicles can cover more ground, and drones can reach places that four wheels can't.

Opportunities for small hoteliers

The benefits for small businesses don't stop with efficient and more affordable logistics. Think Airbnb on wheels. If you run a traditional "bed and breakfast," your business is pretty much locked-in to your location. With self-driving vehicles, you can branch out and take your show on the road.

Small hoteliers can offer the same comfort and amenities an airplane or train ride has, but with more toys and room. Consider this: Unless you choose first or business class on a plane, all you get is a cramped seat with a tiny LCD screen for entertainment, not to mention the hassle of driving to the airport and going through all the checks just to get on a plane.

Trains have bigger spaces but run on a strict schedule, and you can't make pit stops at scenic locations. Self-driving vehicles converted into mobile hotels change all this. You have an ample space all to yourself, traveling at 200 mph. Most likely, there will be a desk where you can work and the entire seat to sleep in.

The entertainment options are also endless. Imagine watching a movie on a 4K Ultra HD curved screen. The entire windshield can act as a TV screen, not to mention all the high-end speakers most luxury cars have these days. You'll be traveling in style, hitting all the destinations in the comfort of your room.

Funding opportunities in the autonomous vehicle industry

Want to be at the forefront of this game-changing industry, but lack the funding to do so? There are various funding opportunities and grants available for small businesses. The UM-Smart Mobility Enterprise, for example, grants funding to small businesses in "New Mobility."

The U.S. Department of Energy also includes self-driving tech to their recent funding law. This could easily mean an influx of over $1 billion to companies helping develop autonomous vehicle technology.

The future is now. If you're a tech-savvy entrepreneur looking to shape the future, driverless cars may be your ticket to success.

RELATED: 4 Steps to Coming Up With a Great Business Idea