The United Kingdom has given autonomous driving the green light, launching a new campaign that will see driverless cars on local roads within six months.
The government is calling on U.K. cities to join with businesses and research organizations to throw their hat into the ring for a share of a £10 million competition to host the country's driverless cars trial.
Available online, applications must be submitted by noon on Oct. 1. Up to three cities will be selected to host the trials, which begin in January. Each project is expected to last 18-36 months.
"The excellence of our scientists and engineers has established the U.K. as a pioneer in the development of driverless vehicles through pilot projects," U.K. Business Secretary Vince Cable said in a statement. "Today's announcement will see driverless cars take to our streets in less than [six] months, putting us at the forefront of this transformational technology and opening up new opportunities for our economy and society."
Two areas of independent driving technology will be covered in the review: cars with a qualified driver who can take over control of the driverless car, and fully autonomous vehicles without anyone behind the wheel.
"Driverless cars have huge potential to transform the U.K.'s transport network—they could improve safety, reduce congestion, and lower emissions, particularly CO2. We are determined to ensure driverless cars can fulfil this potential," Transport Minister Claire Perry said. "Which is why we are actively reviewing regulatory obstacles to create the framework for trialling these vehicles on British roads."
The U.K. began testing driverless cars on public roads late last year, but this marks the first time the British government is turning to its constituents for help. The project is being funded by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, and the Department for Transport, in partnership with the Technology Strategy Board.
Project candidates must be business-led and need to demonstrate close collaboration with partners like tech developers, supply chain companies, and manufacturers.
"Britain is brilliantly placed to lead the world in driverless technology. It combines our strengths in cars, satellites, big data and urban design," Science Minister Greg Clark said, tipping "huge potential benefits" for the job market and consumers.
Not everyone is thrilled about the expected surge of self-driving vehicles. According to a recently released FBI report, the bureau fears such cars could act as "lethal weapons," potentially allowing criminals to "conduct tasks that require use of both hands," like shooting at pursuers while the vehicle drives itself away from a crime scene.
Those reservations haven't stopped Audi's driverless cars from hitting the road. The car maker this week closed down a Tampa highway to test its autonomous Audi A7, equipped with an array of sensors and cameras to handle driving on freeway conditions up to 40 mph.
Stephanie began as a PCMag reporter in May 2012. She moved to New York City from Frederick, Md., where she worked for four years as a multimedia reporter at the second-largest daily newspaper in Maryland. She interned at Baltimore magazine and graduated from Indiana University of Pennsylvania (in the town of Indiana, in the state of Pennsylvania) with a degree in journalism and mass communications