The UK Transport Select Committee has opened an investigation into the potential of autonomous cars.
The committee will look into the research and trials that have been done into autonomous and connected vehicles so far, with the goal of better understanding the technology's potential uses for private motoring, public transport and commercial driving. To do so, it will assess possible safety issues and the perception of safety, as well as consider the relationship with other road users such as pedestrians, cyclists and users of conventional vehicles.
Once the investigation is completed, the committee might also request changes to be made to the current regulations regarding this technology, to introduce changes such as the vehicles’ legal status as well as create standard insurance and authorisation processes.
Currently, fully driverless cars are not legally permitted in the UK. However, autonomous features are being developed by car makers and...