Originally Posted by
ptarmigan
The maglev replacement to it is supposed to be autonomous, however one must keep in mind that it is a much simpler system where both its own components as well as its interaction with the environment is very constrained.
Exactly. The technology is there and the factors that determine when we have one-pilot then pilotless planes are driven by 1) economics and 2) social acceptance including regulation/legislation/etc.
Elevators used to have operators, and so did those intra-airport shuttles that are now autonomous (except in KIAD).
