Three new trials of self driving vehicles, expected to reach roads by 2021, have been given the green light by the Government.

‘Project Apollo’ will be led by upmarket taxi firm, Addison Lee, introducing an app-based on demand ride-share service within London.

The consortium includes Oxbotica, the self-driving vehicle software company with which Addison Lee is already working with to create a 3D map of Canary Wharf, in preparation for autonomous vehicles.

A second consortium, ServCity, will be led by Jaguar Land Rover (with Addision Lee also participating). Six autonomous Land Rover Discoverys will offer a ‘premium mobility service’ across four London boroughs.

‘Project CAV Forth’ will be the third trial, taking place in Edinburgh. Five autonomous full-size double decker buses will offer a service from Ferrytoll Park and Ride in Fife across the Forth Bridge to the Scottish capital’s Train and Tram Interchange.

The bus will include a driver on board at all times, with the project running busses every 20 mins, totalling 20,000 weekly journeys and offering a test case for similar autonomous bus services in the future.