Driverless Cars Are Coming to America This Summer

While flying cars aren't here quite yet, at least one part of America is about to implement technology worthy of Back to the Future II, when driverless cars launch in Ann Arbor, MI this July.

M City, a 32-acre testing ground for driverless and connected cars being built on the North Campus of the University of Michigan, will resemble an average city, with a circuit of roads, traffic signals, and even pedestrians. The difference, of course, is that there won't be any douchebags behind the wheel. In fact, there won't be anybody behind the wheel.

The vehicles -- which will be “able to talk to each other," according to the velvet-toned dude in the U-M video below -- can prevent car crashes, streamline traffic flow, and even re-direct cars to take congestion-free routes. Those improvements in turn can save tens of thousands of lives, and billions of gallons of fuel to reduce carbon emissions. Oh, and they'd even be able to make automated deliveries, so your Domino's order is one technological advance away from getting pizza in your face without you having to put on pants. If only driverless cars could do laundry...

Provided everything goes smoothly in M City -- and the machines don't become self-aware -- it’s hoped that an “automated mobility system” will be rolled out across more of southeastern Michigan by 2021, before spreading across the US. Which could mean pantless pizza deliveries for every American -- truly, the American dream.

Chloe Pantazi is an editorial assistant on Thrillist's travel team. Yes, that's a British accent. No, she doesn't watch Doctor Who. Follow her on Twitter at @ChloePantazi.