My surreal ride in a driverless car... and they're coming here

Ranks of self-driving taxis wait for UK green light

- FROM JEREMY ARMSTRONG

Driverless robotaxis have been a common sight in America since 2020 and fleets of them are poised to take to Britain's streets next year.

I got a taste of what is to come on a ride in Los Angeles and, appropriately enough, it reminded me of a magical, fantastical Hollywood film. There was the surreal vision of the steering wheel moving as if guided by an invisible driver.

It was like a scene from the bewitching 1971 classic Bedknobs and Broomsticks, when inanimate objects are brought to life by magic.

People in the North East of England may have shared a similar experience if they have taken the self-driving Sunderland Advanced Mobility Shuttle. The emissions-free vehicle takes passengers between three sites on public roads in the city.

The road ahead for driverless cars in the UK looks promising if Chinese tech firm Baidu's plans get the green light. It has partnered its Apollo Go taxi business with Lyft, one of Uber's main rivals, and wants to start a self-driving taxi service in Britain and Germany next year.