The future some of us dread is in our rear-view mirrors and closer than it appears, driverless cars will be manoeuvering themselves around British streets from next year.
Currently driverless cars are banned on British roads, however, Business Secretary Vince Cable unveiling a review into the laws said, “Computer controlled vehicles would be trialled in three cities from next year and the government would make a £10m fund available for developing the technology in the UK.”
He said: “Today’s announcement will see driverless cars take to our streets in less than six months, putting us at the forefront of this transformational technology and opening up new opportunities for our economy and society.”
The Department for Transport will review laws governing road use and submit a report to the government by the end of 2014.
David Bruce, the director of AA Cars, pointed out that cars were already becoming increasingly automated with the introduction of assistance systems to aid parking and keeping vehicles in lane and a safe distance from the car in front.
“However, there is a big leap of faith needed by drivers from embracing assistance systems to accepting the fully automated car. Two-thirds of AA members still enjoy driving too much to want a fully automated car,” he said.
Currently, driverless cars are expensive with an army of sensors, cameras and electronics fitted within. We hope it stays that way and these cars are only available and affordable to the kind of people who want to pay through their nose for a car and still never be able to enjoy driving it.
Source:- The Guardian