UK town demonstrates driverless car

We've seen a number of driverless vehicles in our day, but we're still not entirely confident with hopping in one and hoping for the best. Nevertheless, the oh-so-independent CyberCar is being demonstrated in a Northamptonshire town, reportedly utilizing " lasers to avoid obstacles" as it rolls about. Apparently, the idea is to "increase the use of public transport and reduce reliance on cars," as the vehicle is only designed for "short trips at low speeds in an urban environment." The installation will remain in operation until October 5th, after which the future of these wee whips is seemingly still up in the air.

[aeo @ Sep 26th 2007 10:54AM]

Hmmm... "short trips at low speeds". Sounds like the perfect environment for, say... a walk.

[Rainier @ Sep 26th 2007 11:14AM]

I hear ya! Talk about being lazy!

[ethana2 @ Sep 26th 2007 2:46PM]

Home built segways FTW :)
...or reclining bicycles...

[Lonnie McClure @ Sep 26th 2007 4:04PM]

Of course "low speed" in this car could be 25mph, and "short trips" could be 2-5 miles.

Most people faced with going this distance are going to jump in their car, not walk. By comparison, this is a very ecological alternative.

A comparison to biking would be more apt, but then you have the problems of storing/securing your bike when you get there, and taking a shower or offending folks if it is a broiling summer day.

[E71 @ Sep 26th 2007 7:46PM]

Let's hope they rely 100% on automatic GPS navigation so that someone ends up swimming in a ditch just for funsies!

[Grizz @ Sep 26th 2007 11:15AM]

driverless car. LA Freeway commute, bad. Northamptonshire town beer runs, awesome!

"Hey jimmy, I just sent my car over, place some brews in the trunk and send it back to me. Cash is in the glovebox."

[kabson @ Sep 26th 2007 11:49AM]

Bah, call me when it uses lasers to _destroy_ obstacles.

[blore40 @ Sep 26th 2007 11:50AM]

What kind of speed guns do the cops (bobbies)there use? The laser kind?

[Gregor @ Sep 26th 2007 11:53AM]

Ah, good old Daventry, always at the forefront of technology. Also a great place to buy Doc Martins due to a factory outlet there :)

[dj-kenpo @ Sep 26th 2007 11:55AM]

will come in handy when the rage virus breaks loose..

[ethana2 @ Sep 26th 2007 2:54PM]

The streets are deserted... oh, hey-- there goes that one automated public transport vehicle!

...Then it gets hit by a molotov cocktail and explodes.

[Antonio @ Sep 26th 2007 3:09PM]

We already have one full functional in Portugal working on a hospital facility that keeps the transport between buildings automatic!!! What is new about this car presented in UK?!?!?

[Evan @ Sep 26th 2007 4:02PM]

That's not a car, that's a golf cart! A real car has multiple horsepower, goes faster than a bicycle, and generates lots of noise and pollution.

[SteveG @ Sep 26th 2007 5:10PM]

"Welcome to Johnny Cab!"

[Twitchy @ Sep 26th 2007 11:34PM]

There's a reason why they turned this into a driverless car - it's so fugly no-one wants to be seen behind the wheel of it.