[froo]

Given there are auto manufacturers[1] that already exist with self driving cars, I'm going to go ahead and say its not a meme and more just a technology in the process of being fully realised.

Some times, things just take time. Especially when you're trying to create machines capable of not killing the general public.

[1] https://www.tesla.com/autopilot

[hueving]

Tesla's are not self-driving cars in the sense of revolutionizing any driving. You still have to pay attention and be ready to take over all of the time. That means you can't sleep, read emails, etc. on your commute. It's a fancy lane assist that reduces mundane movements you have to make and it improves safety, but it's not resulting in super cheap automated taxis or overnight road trips.

[suprfnk]

This just depends on what you classify as 'self-driving'.

https://www.sae.org/news/3544/

Ofcourse, the lower levels of automation will be reached first.

[froo]

Did you not watch the video?

I call a car that is cornering, accelerating/braking, actively dealing with traffic and finally parking itself a self driving vehicle.