LONDON — Driverless cars are hitting Britain’s public roads for the first time, giving a glimpse of future travel that’s billed as safer and more efficient.
Britain unveiled four prototype self-drive cars Wednesday, launching the country’s first public trials ahead of a series of planned rule reviews to accommodate the new technology.
Officials showed off four types of autonomous vehicles under trial, including a shuttle that looks like a larger golf cart and a compact two-seater “pod.” Journalists took short rides on the shuttle, which zipped around a public square outside central London’s O2 Arena as curious pedestrians looked on.
The project was “still in the early days,” Transport Minister Claire Perry said, but she added the new technology has the potential to make roads safer and attract global investment.