The more compelling element of the system is the live view of the world. The lower two thirds of the screen depict the car’s surroundings as seen by the spinning LIDAR system on the roof. When pedestrians cross the street, you can see them. When the car’s following another vehicle, you see it.
It’s not necessary info, but it’s reassuring. You know the way you can watch a human driver and have a good idea of whether she sees that jaywalker up ahead? The screen lets you do the same thing, assuring you know the car is aware of the threat you’ve spotted.
Uber needs to think of the passenger in the back seat. Actually, eventually, every one going into autonomous cars will have to. Uber just is there first. (Not coincidentally.)
