It was a surprise when the car told them. Their own wearables had said there was still 49.7 hours to go. But the car’s sensors wouldn’t lie. The baby was coming early. The car shifted the tone of its voice: calm, reassuring. It reassured them it was experienced, in control. Its sensors were showing everything was fine. It asked if she’d like a breathing visualisation on the screens. He snapped: “no!” And then apologised. The car went on: “Your insurer has confirmed a hospital 17 minutes away but I have a bid from another hospital if you’d like to see…”