Wait, we're confused. What's the point of having a self-driving car if you still have to pay attention to the road?

See, like many car makers today, BMW is hard at work trying to develop technology that relives drivers of the pesky task of driving. Yet here's BMW talking about their "highly automated driving mode" prototype, saying, "the driver, however remains in control. He is still responsible and must be able to take over the task of driving at all times."

Be able to take over the task of driving? Buddy, as soon as the average driver pushes the "Highly Automated Driving Mode" button, he's gonna be nose-deep in his iPad watching Parks and Recreation while eating hash browns. He wouldn't notice King Kong on the road in front of him. That's the point of cars driving themselves: to take the responsibility out of the hands of people who'd rather not be driving.

BMW claims it's just a technology demonstrator for now, but with Audi and Mercedes-Benz reportedly planning to introduce self-driving cruise control systems next year, BMW can't be far behind. They should have enough time to fix that whole annoying "paying attention" thing, though.

[via YouTube]