Ever since I first watched the 1990 science fiction film Total Recall, I’ve been captivated by the idea of having my own personal Johnny Cab.
The quirky, autonomous taxi from the movie seemed like a glimpse into a future where self-driving cars would be a common sight on our roads. Yet, here we are in 2025, and I’m still waiting for that future to become a reality. So will self-driving cars ever dominate UK roads, and if so, when?
Autonomous vehicles have made significant strides in recent years. The UK government has been proactive in supporting this technology, with the Automated Vehicles Act paving the way for self-driving cars to be on British roads by 2026. Trials are already underway in cities like London and Oxford, with companies like Wayve leading the charge.
Do we really need self-driving cars?
One of the most compelling arguments for self-driving cars is their potential to reduce accidents caused by human error. With advanced sensors and AI, vehicles can react faster and more accurately than human drivers. Autonomous cars can optimise traffic flow, reducing congestion and travel times. They can also communicate with each other to avoid collisions and improve overall road efficiency.
The biggest plus is equality, providing independence for anyone can’t drive, such as the elderly or disabled (or for all of us after a big night out!)
But its not all great
During the transition phase, when both autonomous and traditional vehicles share the road, there may be an increase in accidents due to the mixed traffic environment. And of course job losses, there will be no need for taxi, bus or delivery drivers…
So where are we now?
Today’s self-driving cars are equipped with a lot of tech, i.e. LIDAR which uses laser light to create detailed 3D maps of the environment, Radar detects objects and measure their speed and distance, cameras provide data to identify road signs, pedestrians and other vehicles and of course AI. Intelligent software enables the car to make decisions based on the data collected from its sensors.
But to make self-driving cars a common reality, technological advancements are still needed. We still need sensors that can operate in all weather conditions, AI that can handle all the unpredictability of real-world driving and of course infrastructure – smart roads and traffic systems that can communicate with autonomous vehicles.
While the dream of having a personal Johnny Cab may not be a reality just yet, the progress in self-driving technology is undeniably promising. With continued advancements and robust support from both the government and private sector, I’m confident that we will soon see a future where autonomous vehicles dominate UK roads.
Of course, once self-driving cars become the norm, you can bet I’ll be hankering after the next step. After all, there are no traffic worries with a flying car! Blade Runner is 43 years old this year, where’s my Spinner??
