Automated driving seems to be the wave of the automobile's future. Google's invested heavily in a self-driving car, and now "robotic road trains" are getting seriously looked at.
Just what is a robotic road train, you ask? Well, it's a system in which a lead vehicle, such as a bus driven by a professional driver, is able to lead a convoy of 6-8 vehicles. So you'd pull your car into a convoy behind a bus, and you'd automatically drive behind it until you got close to your destination, allowing you to work or chat on the phone while you ride along.
Companies such as Volvo are investing in research into the idea, which makes a heck of a lot of sense to me. Not only is this a safer way to drive, but it would also save boatloads of fuel, up to 40%, which sounds like a win-win to me.