10-truck-long driverless convoys primed for UK pilot
Driverless lorries will soon be seen on UK roads with chancellor of the exchequer George Osborne set to announced the new development later this month during the budget.
Mercedes Benz Autobah tests
The UK government is looking to subsidise the trial of AI-led "HGV platoons" with the vehicles set to group into convoys of several vehicles led by a single driver, according to the Times.
The trials will be conducted along the M6 in Cumbria, on a supposedly quiet stretch.
Convoys of up to ten lorries will be led by a single human driver, with the following driverless vehicles tasked with closely following metres behind.
Mercedez Benz has led the way in driverless trucks with it last year testing the vehicles on the autobahn. Although piloted, the vehicles featured an autobahn autopilot function.
The news comes after the government got behind driverless car tests last year, all benefiting from a £19m research grant.