First driverless cars hit UK streets as government backs £19million project
FUTURISTIC autonomous cars take to roads in first test of its kind and it could transform the way we travel
Google has been testing the driverless concept for a number of years in the US.
But today will see the first autonomous vehicle hit UK streets.
A prototype driverless pod will be unveiled by the Transport Systems Catapult at a Government launch event in Greenwich, London.
The electric-powered vehicles can seat two people and are designed to work on pavements and pedestrianised areas.
The government will be providing £19million in funding to launch four driverless car schemes around the country and it has big plans for the concept.
Steve Yianni, chief executive of the Transport Systems Catapult, said: “Technology such as driverless vehicles, intelligent phone apps, and social media, will transform how we travel in the future – making journeys safer, faster, and more connected.”
“The UK is at the forefront of this emerging new technology and poised to become the leading supplier of autonomous vehicles and systems around the world.”
Driverless cars
The UK is at the forefront of this emerging new technology and poised to become the leading supplier of autonomous vehicles
“Safety is a key benefit of driverless technology, which is particularly relevant given the global trends of an increasing and ageing population.”
Neil Fulton, programme director at the Transport Systems Catapult, added: “Safety is our number one priority and this is reflected in features ranging from pedestrian protection, low vehicle speed and large external radii to deformable panels, 19 electronic sensors/cameras and an emergency stop.”
“The futuristic styling of the pod is dominated by a balanced roofline, wheels pushed back to the extremities of the chassis and doors that run virtually the entire side of the vehicle.”
The government wants the UK to become a world leader in driverless technology.
And it will publish a code of practice this spring allowing the testing of autonomous cars to go ahead.
Prof Stephen Glaister, director of the RAC Foundation, told the BBC "These trials are not just about harnessing technology to make our travelling lives easier and safer, they also involve getting the regulation right.
"Alongside the hi-tech innovation you need policy decisions on long-term, low-tech matters such as who takes responsibility if things go wrong.
"As and when these vehicles become commonplace, there is likely to be a shift from personal to product liability and that is a whole new ball game for insurers and manufacturers."
However the Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI) has raised concerns about the driverless car concept.
It feels that while the government is pushing ahead with making driverless cars a reality, the service and repair sector did not yet have the skills and infrastructure in place to deal with the new technology.
IMI chief executive Steve Nash wants businesses to take steps to address this issues sooner rather than later.
He said: "We believe the government is yet to fully realise the pressures we are under."