Imagine a future where streets are bustling with self-driving cars, equipped with sensors, artificial intelligence, and fueled by our personal data. Like any other cities, Geneva had to deal with complex issues beyond the shift in traffic patterns that reshaped mobility.

The global AI company Level 5 joined Unireso, the local umbrella organization that coordinates the network of various modes of public transportation in and around the city. The company provides pick-up and drop-off stations for a fleet of on-demand autonomous vehicles.

In the arrival area of Geneva Airport, visitors receive a free circulation pass courtesy of Level 5. They can use it during the first 240 minutes of their stay to gain access to the optimized and mixed road network in the Greater Geneva area. That pass comes with a foldable map of the city that introduces the streets accommodating various modes of mobility, such as pedestrian zones and the coexistence of non-autonomous vehicles. The map also warns about safety issues. For instance, some of the narrow streets in the city create what’s called “urban canyons,” where autonomous vehicles struggle with connectivity issues.

The adoption of autonomous vehicles impacted the energy production in Switzerland. Political parties and the population clash, with some advocating for solar-powered solutions to reduce reliance on foreign fossil fuels, while others argue for efficient nuclear energy to support digital needs, potentially leading to investments in new power plants.

The presence of Level 5 gave rise to new job opportunities with the company on the look for roles like Remote Truck Drivers, Regional Vehicle Trainers, and Privacy and Cybersecurity Lawyers.

Much of the discussion around autonomous vehicles tends to focus on the ideal scenario. People tend to view the future through their own particular lenses. Or as designer and urbanist Dan Hill once commented: “Put traffic engineers in charge of the street and you get traffic. If we put gardeners in charge of the street, we’d get gardens.” This map reveals the numerous unanswered questions, blindspots and critical viewpoints that need consideration, from traffic changes to safety concerns and energy debate.

Commissioned by the Département de la Mobilité de l’Etat de Genève (Mobility Department of Canton Geneva), this foldable map of Geneva brought together people with differing opinions to discuss the future of self-driving cars and its broader consequences. It was created and designed by Fabien Girardin, Nicolas Nova and Israel Viadest at the Near Future Laboratory.