The thread got moved here as we've been told it's imminent since the mid fifties.
Single proof of concepts are techno willy waving - the integration into an airport and airspace control and management system is what brings pilotless to it's knees. The world would have to pay for for the airframers bold and exciting moves forward to fit into an transport system which is risk averse, technically and financially.
Won't be on R+N until one is moving towards certification and the infrastructure funded to allow its use on actual routes.
Can a pilotless aircraft be built in a relatively short timeframe - absolutely yes.
Is there any compelling reason for the whole airports and traffic management world to be changed to accommodate such an aircraft? Use your skill and knowledge of the ROI for such change. AKA - what's in it for them?
The radio operator, flight engineer and navigator going didn't cost anything to these people. This next step would - in spades.
Rob