1. Channel: Ecommerce & Digital

Ocado and Asda trial ‘driverless vans’ in secret London locations

Ocado and Asda are trialling driverless delivery vans in secret locations across London, in partnership with technology firm Wayve.
According to The Evening Standard, both supermarkets have trials underway as…

Ocado and Asda are trialling driverless delivery vans in secret locations across London, in partnership with technology firm Wayve.

According to The Evening Standard, both supermarkets have trials underway as they explore the potential use of “autonomous” vehicles to improve road safety.

Wayve director of partnership and business development Kaity Fischer said they could become commonplace within the “next decade”.

“I think it’s sooner than most folks think,” she said at the Evening Standard’s Plug It In summit, revealing that 96% of all accidents are based on human error, with drivers responsible for a serious injury or fatality on UK roads every 22 minutes.

“Autonomous vehicles are never drowsy. They are never drunk,” she said, explaining that self-drive vehicles use camera technology and AI to cope with congested streets and unexpected occurrences.

Wayve’s technology, developed using Jaguar I-Pace electric cars, is soon to be tested on Ocado delivery routes on selected London postcodes.

“Our ambition is to launch in London and to grow in London,” Fischer added.

“This industry is huge. I feel it’s the UK’s to lose. It’s the legislation that will be the key driver. The technology is ready.”

This comes as Ocado has already invested £10 million in the firm last year, which it hopes will be able to revolutionise grocery deliveries thanks to the technology developed using Jaguar I-Pace electric cars.

The post Ocado and Asda trial ‘driverless vans’ in secret London locations appeared first on Latest Retail Technology News From Across The Globe – Charged.

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