Car washes have been automated for decades, but companies developing fully autonomous vehicles must rely on a human touch to keep their cars and trucks in working condition.
Nope, you can't take them through your local automated car-wash. That's because residue can blind the vehicle, so they can't drive themselves safely. They have to be hand-washed, and that must be done often.
A self-driving vehicle’s exterior needs to be cleaned even more frequently than a typical car because the sensors must remain free of obstructions. Dirt, dead bugs, bird droppings or water spots can impact the vehicle’s ability to drive safely.
Cool: buy a self-driving car, then pay folks to hand-detail it every few days. Such a deal!
They like being washed as much as your cat does.