Here are the top 5 television shows that feature or include self-driving cars.
1. Upload
This smart Amazon sci-fi series begins with the protagonist dying in a crash involving a self-driving car, then waking up in a digital afterlife. What makes it stand out: the self-driving vehicle is built into the premise from the first episode and becomes a narrative hinge for questions about liability, autonomy, and technology. The show weaves in humor, romance, and futuristic tech in a way that makes the “self-driving car” more than just a prop. The autonomous car accident triggers the story, making it foundational to the world-building.
For viewers it’s a blend of light comedy and tech-thriller, accessible yet speculative. If you want a show that uses self-driving tech as a plot engine rather than just gimmick, this is a top pick.
2. OK Computer
This Indian science-fiction series takes the concept of a self-driving taxi gone wrong and uses it as the jumping-off point for a philosophical and ethical inquiry. The plot hinges on a self-driving vehicle killing a pedestrian, then investigators asking whether the machine, the human, or both are at fault. The series is less about driving thrills and more about techno-mystery, giving a different lens on autonomous vehicles: not how fast they go or how smoothly they drive, but what happens when their control systems fail or are manipulated. The setting in a near-future India with holograms, drone highways and self-driving taxis provides an interesting cultural twist.
If you’re into speculative tech drama that engages with AI, responsibility and infrastructure, OK Computer is a solid choice.
3. Knight Rider (1982)
Yes, it’s from the 1980s and yes it’s pretty campy, but bear with it: this is one of the earliest TV shows that gave a car an artificial-intelligence voice, independence and “self-driving” capability (in the fiction). The car, KITT (Knight Industries Two Thousand), drives itself, detects danger, intervenes and communicates. While the actual self-driving tech is wildly fictional, the show holds nostalgic value and illustrates how the idea of an autonomous car captured the popular imagination decades ago. In short: not scientifically accurate, but culturally significant for the “self-driving car in fiction” genre.
If you’re interested in the evolution of the concept of autonomous cars in television, Knight Rider is a must-see for historical context.
4. Silicon Valley (HBO)
While not solely about self-driving cars, this tech-comedy series includes an episode where characters deal with a self-driving car mishap, showcasing the real-world chaos of autonomous vehicle tech when it goes off-script. The value: it offers a grounded, comedic look at self-driving cars in a startup‐driven world, reminding us that progress comes with unintended consequences. The scene is illustrative of how these vehicles are not just sci-fi toys, but real systems with real vulnerabilities.
If you like shows that balance humor, tech critique and realistic implications of autonomous systems, this is worth including.
5. NOVA: Look Who’s Driving (PBS)
Stepping outside pure drama or fiction, this documentary-style episode (from the well-known science series) takes a factual look at self-driving cars: how they work, where they’re headed, and what challenges remain (safety, decision-making, regulation). Including this provides balance: it’s not a drama but gives the real-world context behind the fictional portrayals.
If your interest is both entertainment and insight into real-life autonomous vehicles, this one fills that gap.
Why these five?
Between them they cover the spectrum: fiction with dramatic stakes (Upload, OK Computer), nostalgic/pop-culture roots (Knight Rider), realistic tech satire (Silicon Valley), and documentary exploration (NOVA). They allow you to explore self-driving car themes from various angles — ethical dilemmas, cultural reflection, technological promise & peril, entertainment legacy and factual background.
Key themes that emerge
Autonomy and responsibility: Who is responsible when a self-driving vehicle errs — the machine, the human, the manufacturer? OK Computer tackles this directly.
Control vs agency: Upload explores what happens when a self-driving car crash triggers a whole new afterlife; what happens when we hand over more control to machines?
Public imagination of autonomous cars: Knight Rider shows how long the idea of a “smart car” has been with us.
Technology’s messy reality: Silicon Valley reminds us that autonomous systems are not glamorous alone — they still face bugs, mis-designs, corporate issues.
Real-world implications: NOVA grounds the fantasy and drama in the actual technical, regulatory and ethical landscape.