Taxi Firm Addison Lee is betting its customers will be ready to, in London at least, in just three years' time.


It has joined forces with self-driving software specialist Oxbotica, and says the tie-up means it will offer self-driving taxis in the capital by 2021.


The move will pit it against rival ride-hailing app Uber, which is also planning to roll out driverless cars on its network in the future, pending regulatory permission.


Addison Lee says it will now work with Oxbotica on digitally mapping public roads in and around the capital.
The detailed maps will record the position of kerbs, road signs and traffic lights in preparation for autonomous cars.


Addison boss Andy Boland said it hopes to offer shared minibus shuttles to passengers, to use to get to work, to study or to the airport.


He said the technology would help the firm "address congestion, free space used for parking and improve urban air quality".





BBC     News.