Autonomous vehicles should operate in London from here 2021

Autonomous vehicles will begin to circulate in the streets of London from 2021, according to the plans of the Oxbotica technology group and the private rental company Addison Lee.

Possible services include shared minibus shuttles for commuters in the capital, although the groups have not yet decided on the final deal to be deployed.

The advent of autonomous vehicles may complicate a transportation system that is already experiencing the impact of technology, mass upsurge and the growing popularity of bicycles and, in some areas, scooters.

Cities and governments around the world are eager to adopt rules that will allow autonomous vehicles to move freely, with the UK presenting plans that will allow autonomous cars to operate by 2021.

Some parts of the United States, China and Singapore also have rules that will come into force that will allow autonomous cars.

Technology promises to save lives by eliminating the human errors of driving, but also opens up new business opportunities by eliminating the cost of driving existing taxi services and allowing greater use of the fleet.

Andy Boland, managing director of Addison Lee, said the first services to be launched would be in new areas for the company and would not threaten the jobs of its 5,000 private drivers in London.

"For a very long time, they should sleep quietly in their bed," he said. "Our management-focused service is going to be the backbone of the business for the foreseeable future."

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The companies will start mapping 250,000 km of public roads in London, preparing each border, sign, landmark and traffic light, using sensors and cameras mounted on existing Addison Lee vehicles.

Many companies, from Waymo to Uber, to established automakers, are working on self-driving technology to launch utility services in the years to come.

Oxbotica believes that its technology, which is already used in ports, warehouses and even Mars Rover NASA, has the advantage in complex urban environments such as the British capital.

"London is a much more complex environment than some American environments," said Graeme Smith, general manager of Oxbotica. "It's our ability and our specialty to manage battery life in tight environments that are very different from California's highways."

The group, from Oxford University, is currently testing autonomous vehicles between Oxford and London and has recently raised £ 14 million to double the size of its workforce and expand to l & # 39; International.

London services would start in small areas that are easier to navigate and spread over time. It is also possible to open services in other markets, as Addison Lee already has operations in the United States.