Dashcam video reveals one ofLondonFirst driverless taxis running a red light as it drove the technology company’s boss toBuckingham Palaceto be awarded a medal for contributions toartificial intelligence.
Alex Kendall, the CEO of the UK-based startup Wayve, posted the video on social media, seemingly unaware that his autonomous vehicle had violated the law by running a red light in central London.
Mr. Kendall posted an image of himself being awarded his OBE by thePrincess Royalalongside clips of the ‘impressive drive without interference’, following ‘many requested to witness the self-driving journey’ to the Palace.
The footage displayed Mr. Kendall’s vehicle traveling to the event through Victoria Embankment and Parliament Square.
As the vehicle moved through dense traffic at the south-west corner of Parliament Square, it came to a halt before a white boundary line.
A bus is visible positioned over the stop line and extending past it, forced to halt there after being delayed by slow-moving vehicles at the intersection.
The traffic signal for that part of the intersection switches from green to red — however, as the congestion eases, the bus and the Wayve vehicle move ahead.
Even though it is legally incorrect, the video indicates that this is likely what most human drivers would do in such a scenario.
Wayve later acknowledged that the vehicle had run a red light, stating that the company’s cars are ‘prototypes’ and that an investigation would be carried out.
A representative stated that all trips were managed by ‘trained safety operators sitting in the driver’s seat’ for supervision, and added: ‘We recognize that the better course of action would have been to take manual control of the vehicle and hold it in place until the green light became visible again.’
Violating a red traffic signal constitutes a driving offense that results in three penalty points and a £100 charge.
Steve McNamara, the head of the Licensed Taxi Drivers’ Association, stated: ‘London taxi drivers lose their licenses at six points. Who will be responsible for monitoring these issues and who is accountable for the points?’
It was proposed by human rights attorney Cherie Blair that autonomous vehicles could assist women seeking to escape from abusive relationships.
She informed The Mail on Sunday that the cars reduce danger, stating, “male drivers can pose a risk to women.” The Refuge charity ambassador mentioned that it “would be beneficial to see them combined with domestic abuse charities.”
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