Londoners are one step closer to hailing an autonomous taxi after tech firm Wayve announced its driverless vehicles have been testing on the city's roads for a decade. The company's innovative system uses AI to learn from human driving behaviour, allowing it to navigate complex traffic situations with ease.
Wayve's unique approach attaches a sophisticated computer system to a modern car via a roof rack, equipping it with radar and cameras to read the road environment. Unlike other autonomous vehicles on the market, such as those operated by Waymo, Wayve doesn't require mapping the entire urban landscape – instead relying on its AI to learn from millions of minutes of driving footage.
Wayve's technology has been put through its paces in various scenarios, including busy roads and interactions with pedestrians and cyclists. Local black-cab driver and tour guide Karen Teale has observed the driverless cars on the roads, voicing concerns about their accessibility and safety.
Despite these concerns, Victor Charoonsophonsak from Wayve remains optimistic about the company's progress: 'Our vehicle handles complex situations safely and is able to anticipate and manage them,' he said. 'It learns pretty quickly – there aren't many objects or issues we can't recognise.'