"trials" does not equal actualisation. Jet packs were...

"trials" does not equal actualisation. Jet packs were "trialled". Hover cars were "trialled". Hell, even Cherry Cola was "trialled" in Australia. None came to pass.

A feature of technological advance is that "long dreamt" technologies take a lot longer than people ever think to bring into being, while unexpected technologies burst onto the scene in a much shorter time than ppl could imagine.

Driverless cars have been talked about for decades. All this talk, and no manufacturer has come close to a Class 4 car yet, let alone a Class 5. Not saying it wont happen, but if you're saving your shackles to buy a driverless car, I'd suggest you put the money into a very long term deposit account.

My prediction is pretty straight forward:
Driverless busses (incl people movers) along set routes: within 6 years.
Driverless trucks along set routes: within 10 years.
Driverless cars with no route limit: within 15 years, but more likely 20 years.

Perth wont "kick of next year with driverless taxis". A limited trial will be done. Just as there was a limited bus trial in South Perth this year. Funnily, can't catch that bus now, because it was a TRIAL.