Jaguar Land Rover set to test at least 100 self-driving cars in UK
Car manufacturer plans to create the vehicles for testing by 2020
- Race to become the leading manufacturer for autonomous vehicles is speeding up
- US company Tesla under pressure after auto-pilot function death investigation
Updated : 12:50
The United Kingdom's biggest car manufacturer Jaguar Land Rover looks primed to unveil over 100 research vehicles in order to test the company's self-driving technology, with the first cars on the way before the end of the year.
Jaguar plans to test the vehicles on stretches of motorway near its headquarters in Coventry over the next 4 years.
Car manufacturers are stepping up their games with regards to the autonomous car market, with estimates from the government placing the potential of the industry at £900bn worldwide.
Legal obstacles have stalled the process for many carmakers however, with the issue of responsibility in case of accident and damage a key focal point.
US company Tesla are under investigation after a man was killed while using the auto-pilot feature on one of their vehicles, apparently after the system did not pick up a tractor that was alongside the car.
Jaguar Land Rover’s head of research, Tony Harper, said that his company is implementing new safety measures for their self-driving cars.
“Our connected and automated technology could help improve traffic flow, cut congestion and reduce the potential for accidents,” Harper said.
Vast sums are currently being spent by manufacturers to introduce the safest and highest-quality autonomous system, as Ford are engaged in a government-backed testing process, as well as projects due to start with Nissan and Volvo in the Uk.