In a development that has left both tech enthusiasts and commuters scratching their heads, a prominent tech company has unveiled its latest innovation in the world of autonomous vehicles. These highly anticipated self-driving cars boast state-of-the-art technology, top-notch navigation systems, and a unique personality quirk: they refuse to move until their passengers burst into song.
That’s right—before your self-driving car will budge an inch, it insists its human cargo kicks off the journey with a rousing rendition of a “happy song.” Reports indicate that popular hits such as Pharrell Williams’ “Happy,” The Beatles’ “Here Comes the Sun,” and, inexplicably, “Eye of the Tiger” by Survivor have been the most successful in getting these four-wheeled divas into gear.
Dr. Harmonious Tuneup, lead engineer of the project, explained the unusual feature during a quirky press conference. “We programmed these cars with advanced AI capable of understanding human moods. We discovered that driving is more enjoyable for passengers when they’re in a good mood. Hence, the sing-along requirement. Plus, these vehicles never have to deal with karaoke night cancellations.”
Commuters have voiced mixed feelings about the innovation. While some enjoy the opportunity to start their day with a boisterous sing-along, others find themselves wishing they’d invested in vocal lessons. Commuter Carl Jenkins lamented, “I never thought I’d be serenading a car at 7 a.m. just to get to work. I mean, who’s going to believe I was late because my car threw a tantrum and demanded a stirring rendition of ‘Walking on Sunshine’?”
However, not everyone is grumbling. An unexpected consequence of this requirement has been a surge in carpool karaoke clubs, with amateur duos and trios forming to create perfectly harmonized mornings. Betsy Wong, a recently inducted self-driving car owner, started a neighborhood singing group. “We’ve become the dawn chorus of our street,” she beamed. “Not only are we reducing our carbon footprint, but we’re also bringing the joy of music to rush hour!”
As self-driving vehicles become an increasingly common sight, music streaming services are seeing a rise in mood-lifting playlists tailored to automotive acoustics. “We’ve developed an algorithm specifically to keep both cars and passengers happy,” said Melody Harmon, spokesperson for the famed HarmonyTunes App.
Meanwhile, the competitive edge of traditional cars has taken a hit, with some older models now showing signs of similar behavior. Reports have emerged of one disgruntled sedan emitting nostalgic sighs of “Take Me Home, Country Roads” until its driver complied with a heartfelt solo.
Looking ahead, Dr. Tuneup hinted at further developments: “We’re working on a feature that incorporates dance moves to the self-driving algorithm. After all, it’s not enough just to sing about being happy. Sometimes, you need to shake it like a polaroid picture.”
So, next time you see a stationary self-driving car with a scowling passenger inside, don’t be too quick to judge. They’re probably just perfecting their pitch before the next verse kicks in.