Self-driving car tested for first time in the UK

A driverless vehicle has been tested for the very first time on UK streets in the most recent development in self-driving technology in the country.

The trial observed a two-seater LUTZ Pathfinder travel 1.25 miles (2km) through pedestrianised locations of Milton Keynes, reaching speeds of as much as 15mph while needing to deal with walkers and bicyclists for the very first time. A driver was on board to take over in case of any emergency.

The vehicles, built by Transport Systems Catapult (TSC), utilized virtual maps of the Buckinghamshire town to browse the area around the train station and downtown.

Google and Uber have tested self-driving vehicles on American roads, but previous UK trials have actually included a human manually operating the automobile.

Although completely automated automobiles are not expected to be in usage in the UK for about 10 years, the federal government is eager to ensure that Britain is at the leading edge of making driverless technology.

Previously this year, ministers introduced a consultation on modifications to motor insurance guidelines and the highway code. This is targeted at enabling self-driving automobiles to be on the roads by 2020.