By Ilya Plekhanov-Wikipedia
Uber is set to test robotaxis – self-driving cars without a human safety driver present – in London next spring.
The ride-hailing platform will collaborate with the UK AI company Wayve, which has been trialing the technology on the streets of the city under human supervision, adhering to existing regulations.
This announcement follows the UK government’s recent amendments to its regulations regarding driverless vehicles.
Initially, the government aimed for this technology to be operational on British roads by 2026, but the timeline was later revised to the latter half of 2027.
Now, however, it has introduced a fast-tracked framework for small autonomous “bus and taxi-like” commercial services to commence sooner.
It remains uncertain if the vehicles involved in Uber’s trial will be accessible to customers – the company states it is still finalizing the specifics. Previously, it indicated a desire to incorporate them as a standard option in its UK app as soon as regulations permit.
The Department for Transport has indicated that the sector could generate 38,000 jobs and contribute £42 billion to the UK economy by 2035.
However, in a conversation with the BBC last month, GMB national secretary Andy Prendergast emphasized that the “significant social implications” of driverless cars and taxis, particularly concerning unemployment, must also be thoroughly evaluated.
Uber initiated a robotaxi service in Austin, Texas, in March, claiming its driverless vehicles could operate for 20 hours a day, seven days a week.
Customers in that area can opt for a robotaxi if one is available, with fares remaining unchanged. Tesla is also set to introduce a competing service in the same city in June.
Fully autonomous vehicles have traveled millions of miles on public roads in other nations, including China, the UAE, and Singapore, but research is ongoing to determine whether they are safer or less safe than those driven by humans.
Numerous studies indicate that automated vehicles are less likely to be involved in accidents compared to human drivers, according to data from the US.
However, there have been several incidents with robotaxis in the regions where they operate, including road accidents and passengers being inadvertently locked inside.
Additionally, one service in San Francisco was discontinued following a series of technical failures.
In May, I experienced a ride in a vehicle equipped with Wayve’s autonomous technology through central London. Although a human safety driver was present at the wheel, he did not need to intervene at all during our 30-minute journey.
The car adeptly navigated every potential danger that arose in the bustling streets, such as traffic congestion, temporary traffic signals, cyclists, and even a pedestrian using crutches who unexpectedly stepped into the road.
The Ford Mach-e was outfitted with sensors and radar, while an AI-driven system managed the vehicle’s reactions in real time.
In fact, it exhibited a level of caution that surpassed that of a human driver, resulting in a pleasantly uneventful ride.
