FiveAI begins testing five autonomous cars in UK

FiveAI, an autonomous technology company, has started testing five autonomous cars in Bromley and Croydon of UK.

This is part of its strategy to launch a self-driving car-sharing service in London.

It expects to commence passenger trials by next year, reported The Independent.

During the testing phase, all five cars will operate throughout the week and at all times.

Trained drivers will always be seated in the vehicles so that they can take control if needed during this phase.

Last year, the tech firm began collecting data by manually driving their sensor-enabled cars in London. This was done to develop the software required to carry out the tests.

As part of the scheme, the firm worked with local councils and Transport for London (TfL).

FiveAI co-founder and chief executive Stan Boland was quoted by The Independent as saying: “Safety and trusted partnerships are crucial to everything we do. We’ll continue to keep residents informed along the way, working closely with the London boroughs and Transport for London.”

Earlier, the company announced that it plans to create an autonomous car service that would help in cutting down traffic congestion, emissions and costs.

Two years ago, the firm was part of a consortium that secured a government grant of over £12m to develop software for StreetWise, an autonomous car project.

Future of mobility minister Jesse Norman said the government was keen to have autonomous cars the roads.

Norman was quoted by the publication as saying: “The long term potential for self-driving vehicles is huge, to improve road safety, tackle loneliness and isolation and create economic opportunity.

“So I welcome the safe testing of this new technology. But increasingly self-driving cars are just one of many innovations we are likely to see on our roads. The government’s new Future of Mobility: Urban Strategy sets out how it will plan for their introduction.”