The UK Government is pouring a total of £20m into driverless car technology projects.
According to a statement, the Government is distributing the funds across eight different projects which range from developing autonomous shuttles for visually-impaired passengers to new simulation trials for autonomous pods.
The selected projects, the statement added, are the first to receive funding from the Government’s £100m Intelligent Mobility Fund — announced by Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne as part of last year’s Spring Budget.
Business secretary Sajid Javid, said: “Our cars of the future will be equipped with the technologies that will make getting from A to B safer, faster, and cleaner. They will alert drivers of accidents ahead and be able to receive information from their surroundings about hazards, increasing the safety of drivers, passengers and pedestrians.
“Britain is a world-leader in research and development in such innovative technologies which improve lives and create opportunity for all. That is why this government has protected the £6 billion science budget and is providing up to £20 million for these projects,” the secretary continued.
The selected projects are: UK Connected Intelligent Transport Environment (UKCITE), Insight, Tools for autonomous logistics and management, Flourish, Innovative Testing of Autonomous Control Techniques (INTACT), Move-UK, Pathway to Autonomous Commercial Vehicles and i-Motors.