Britain’s First Self-Driving Bus Service Set to be Introduced in Sunderland
Sunderland is set to launch Britain’s first self-driving city center bus service, named the Sunderland Advanced Mobility Shuttle (SAMS), as part of a government-backed pilot project aiming for autonomous public transport. The free passenger service will operate three zero-emission shuttle buses along a three-mile route connecting the Sunderland bus interchange, university campus, and Royal Hospital, with two safety attendants on board initially. The project, involving various stakeholders and £3 million in funding, marks a significant advancement in self-driving vehicle research for urban mobility solutions. The initiative aligns with the UK’s broader push towards integrating self-driving technology into transportation infrastructure, with hopes for potential economic growth and job creation. While fully driverless cars are not yet legal in the UK, the government is moving forward with legislation, suggesting self-driving cars could hit British roads by 2026.