The UK’s rollout of driverless cars is unlikely to occur until the second half of 2027, according to recent government statements. Previously, the administration had targeted 2026 for the introduction of fully autonomous vehicles. However, regulatory hurdles have pushed back the timeline. While limited self-driving technology is already permitted on UK roads, a human driver must remain at the wheel and responsible for the vehicle. Companies like Uber claim they are ready to launch driverless taxis as soon as regulations permit. Trials are ongoing in London using systems developed by UK AI firm Wayve. Despite public hesitation—37% of Brits reportedly feel unsafe in driverless cars—studies suggest autonomous vehicles may be less accident-prone than human-driven ones. Practical questions around insurance and liability remain unresolved. The government anticipates the self-driving industry could be worth £42bn and create 38,000 jobs by 2035.
— new from BBC