You'll be able to 'summon' this car from across the country in 2 years

It's not a case of "if", but "when" self-driving cars are going to change the world of transport as we know it.

According to Elon Musk, CEO of electric car company Tesla (and super-villain-in-the-making), their award-winning motors will be able to drive across entire nations on command thanks to its Autopilot feature.

"Within two years you’ll be able to summon your car from across the country," Musk told journalists in a teleconference, before conceding, "I might be slightly optimistic on that."

"So, let’s say, if you’re in New York and your car is in Los Angeles, it will find its way to you," he suggested. All the owner would need is their mobile phone, synced with the car to allow it to track your position. As the Tesla makes its way to you, it would even be able to stop off for charges if required. 

Musk suggested that more radar and camera technology would need to be implemented before this dream could be realised, but that the cars will have this capacity within the next 24 to 36 months. 

"Meaning it will work anywhere in the country as opposed to limited to a particular city [and] it will be able to drive on virtually all roads at a safety level significantly better than humans," said Musk.

Just think, within a generation the titular joke of Dude, Where's My Car will be devoid of comical context. They'll live in a future where cars are charged via one of these automated snake arm... things.