The Government wants bidders to put forward proposals in areas including safety, reliability, how vehicles communicate with each other and how driverless vehicles can give an ageing population greater independence.
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Business secretary Sajid Javid suggests that Britain needs to “capitalize on new technologies like driverless vehicles” to increase productivity.
On Sunday, that goal was furthered by the announcement of a further £20 million of funding from the Conservative government in the form of a new competitive fund created to facilitate the development of driverless vehicle technology in the UK.
As a result, those testing autonomous cars will be subject to the same drinking laws As those in driver-operated cars, and will also need to hold a registered United Kingdom driving licence.
“The country’s automotive industry, strengths in innovation and light touch regulatory approach to testing driverless technology combine to make the United Kingdom market competitive and an attractive destination for investors”.
The £20m research project is the latest phase in a £100m investment in “intelligent mobility” announced in the Chancellor’s spring budget.
The government hopes that code of practice will ensure that all development work is aimed in the right direction. The company has come back saying that the risks lie not with its cars, but with other drivers – something that Google says works in its favor. But on July 19th, the Department for Transport (DfT) issued new rules surrounding the testing of driverless cars – a move that coincides with the government’s recent investments into making the United Kingdom a prime testing ground for this new technology. This means driverless vehicles must be able to interact safely with more vulnerable road users such as “disabled people, those with visual or hearing impairments, pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists, children and horse riders”.
That’s essentially the same stipulation given in California, where autonomous vehicles are now allowed to publicly test on the state’s roads provided they are accompanied by a fully trained, fully licensed driver at all times.
The unit is already working on a number of projects, including tests of roadside communications technology to ease heavy traffic flow and improve safety, and piloting technology that provides drivers with useful journey and safety information.
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Whilst the funding will be provided on a like-for-like basis to organisations that can present coherent plans for automated vehicles. “Combined with the £20m funding, the UK is now firmly positioned at the centre of future mobility”.
