en.Wedoany.com Reported - The UK government has launched a pilot program for autonomous passenger services, opening applications to operators from today, with passengers expected to be able to book taxi and bus-style self-driving vehicles later this year. The pilot can operate across the UK, and the government estimates it will create thousands of jobs and billions of pounds in economic value by 2035.

The pilot program will allow companies, including UK autonomous driving technology firm Wayve, to introduce the technology onto British roads. These services could provide greater freedom and independence for the elderly and disabled, while expanding travel options for work and leisure. Sarah Gates, Vice President of Global Affairs and Assurance at Wayve, said the UK has all the elements to become a global leader in the deployment of autonomous vehicles, and the launch of this program marks a significant step forward; Wayve has been developing its technology in the UK for nearly a decade and is delighted to bring supervised passenger services to market here this year, with this field also having the potential to drive significant economic growth, revitalize the UK's industrial base, and create high-skilled jobs.

Currently, human error causes 88% of road collisions in the UK, and the government says autonomous technology has the potential to reduce this figure. Safety will be at the core of the pilot, which will collect real-world data on autonomous vehicles operating on everyday roads, from navigating busy city streets to interacting with traffic and carrying passengers. Services must undergo government approval checks, including security assessments covering network and cyber threats. Roads and Buses Minister Simon Lightwood said autonomous vehicles represent a transformative opportunity for the UK, opening up independent travel for the disabled and elderly while driving growth and creating high-skilled jobs across the country; this pilot program brings the future closer, giving passengers the chance to experience autonomous travel firsthand while ensuring safety always comes first.

Local transport authorities, such as Transport for London, will also need to provide local consent to ensure services reflect local priorities. The government is working with safety and accessibility experts to develop the regulations needed to introduce autonomous vehicles onto UK roads. Lessons from the pilot will support the development of autonomous vehicle regulations, which the government is currently advancing, having concluded an evidence consultation in March. Ben Loewenstein, Head of UK and Europe Policy and Government Affairs at Waymo, said the UK is leading the way in safely deploying pilot autonomous vehicle services and hopes to soon become part of London's transport network, demonstrating the benefits of battery-electric autonomous vehicles in safety, accessibility, and sustainability through the government's pilot program; we are excited to bring our fully autonomous ride-hailing service to the UK, helping to make London's transport safer and more convenient. Mike Hawes, Chief Executive of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, said this is the first time legislation has allowed operators to offer commercial passenger-carrying services to the public, such as robotaxis; automated passenger services are expected to be worth around £3.7 billion annually in the UK by 2040, while also having the potential to expand social access to transport and improve road safety.

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