Steering through the city streets and highways of today requires more than just a wheel and a set of pedals; it involves coming to grips with self-driving cars — a gamble that many observers believe will change the face of transportation. As we peer into the future of such robotic vehicles, it’s like entering a high-stakes poker game in which the chips represent nothing less than our daily commutes, our safety on the roads and our impact on the environment.

Tech companies and automakers alike are betting billions that autonomous vehicles (AVs) can help deliver safer, more efficient roadways. Fitted with sensors, cameras and advanced algorithms, these cars promise to eliminate human error — still by far the largest cause of traffic accidents. Like an experienced poker player reading her fellow competitors around the table, these vehicles take in their surroundings and make split-second decisions that could save tens of thousands of lives each year.

In this world, traditional car manufacturers brush shoulders with Silicon Valley startups at every turn. Companies such as Tesla, Waymo (owned by Google parent Alphabet) and Uber are racing ahead with machine learning and artificial intelligence breakthroughs that increase these cars’ reliability and street smarts mile after mile. Their strategies may be slightly different — some focus on achieving full autonomy while others prioritize semiautonomous features — but all players share one common goal: to reinvent travel.

As with any high-stakes game worth its salt, rules are crucial. And in this case those rules largely come down to laws adopted by various regions to govern autonomous vehicles. Think of those regulations as casino house policies designed to keep games fair but also safe for participants. Legislatures must update traffic codes, insurance requirements and safety standards — a tricky bet involving balancing innovation against public well-being.

But winning over people isn’t only about technology for AVs; how well these machines play their hand is equally important. Consumer trust is vital here — think of it as a poker player’s reputation around the table. Early incidents involving self-driving vehicles have left some people wary, while others are enthusiastic about embracing the new technology. Clear demonstrations of AV safety and benefits, along with transparent communication from manufacturers, will be key to clearing this hurdle.

Critics of AVs worry that such cars could lead to more vehicle miles traveled, raising urban congestion and pollution — calling the industry’s bluff on environmental benefits. But proponents counter this bet with scenarios in which these vehicles help smooth traffic flow and cut emissions. And then there are the economic implications: Potential savings in health care costs alone from avoiding accidents should make doubling down on self-drivers attractive to policymakers; not to mention time gained by reducing traffic jams and fuel saved by easing gridlock.

If autonomous vehicles can play their cards right, however, the jackpot is much more than just safer roads. We’re talking about transformative societal changes — improved mobility for elderly or disabled citizens; reshaped urban landscapes with fewer parking lots; even different ways of thinking about car ownership altogether. In this future, car-sharing is king and personal vehicle ownership is optional at best.

To navigate the future of self-driving cars is like watching a high-stakes poker game. With its promise, coupled with such hurdles as regulatory, societal and economic challenges, these are among the most exciting areas that might change everything we do. The expectation as we place our bets on this technology is that all parties involved – manufacturers; regulators; public – win big and bring about transport systems which were once imagined only in sci-fi movies.