techUK responds to call for evidence on the Automated Vehicles Bill
This landmark legislation is based on a four-year review by the Law Commission of England & Wales and the Scottish Law Commission, and lays down the groundwork for a regulatory framework facilitating the safe deployment of automated vehicles (AVs) in Great Britain.
We believe that this framework is a strong starting point to build a full regulatory system and have expressed our support for the Bill becoming an Act without further amendment as soon as possible.
We support the approach taken to allow the legislation to evolve with the rapidly changing technological landscape, leaving detailed technical specifications to be defined through secondary legislation. This approach ensures flexibility for future adaptations while enabling comprehensive consultation with stakeholders, including industry, road user groups, and the public. Key aspects of the Bill are summarised below:
1. Creating a safety framework
techUK welcomes the emphasis the AV Bill places safety. It aims for AVs to operate at a higher level standard higher than the average human driver, thus harnessing the immense potential of AVs to enhance road safety for all users. By setting internationally informed safety standards, the Bill also ensures a robust authorisation process overseen by the Vehicle Certification Agency. Additionally, it outlines detailed safety requirements to be enshrined in secondary legislation through a Statement of Safety Principles, promoting clarity and responsibility in the industry.
2. Ensuring proper accountability
Introducing the concept of an Authorised Self-Driving Entity (ASDE), the Bill shifts liability from human drivers to the companies behind AV technology, fostering consumer protection and industry accountability. This innovative approach, supported by criminal offenses for dishonest conduct, ensures transparent engagement with regulators and enhances overall industry learning.
3. Enforcement
A comprehensive enforcement regime, outlined in Schedule 1, empowers the government to investigate incidents involving ASDEs and No-User-in-Charge Operators, bolstering public trust in regulatory measures. We believe that collaborative engagement between industry and government is vital to ensure the effective exercise of these powers while addressing associated risks.
4. Preventing misleading marketing
The Bill prohibits the misuse of terms related to AVs, safeguarding consumers from misleading information. Given the complexity of self-driving technology, this provision is crucial for providing accurate information and managing legal liabilities effectively.
5. Automated Passenger Services
The Bill introduces a permitting regime for Automated Passenger Services (APS), addressing challenges in trialling passenger-carrying AVs and facilitating their introduction to the public. By emphasising accessibility and innovation, these services aim to deliver significant social and economic benefits, requiring collaborative efforts between industry, government, and disability groups.
Conclusion
The Automated Vehicles Bill represents a pivotal moment in the journey towards autonomous transportation in the UK. By prioritising safety, accountability, and innovation, this legislation lays a solid foundation for the responsible integration of AV technology into the country's transport ecosystem.
You can download our full response to the Call for Evidence by clicking here.
techUK looks forward to continuing to engage constructively with stakeholders across this space to build on the foundations of the AV Bill and ensure that the UK’s self-driving vehicle industry can thrive.
If you are interested in the work of techUK’s Self-Driving Vehicle Working Group please contact [email protected]
techUK – Unleashing UK Tech and Innovation
The UK is home to emerging technologies that have the power to revolutionise entire industries. From quantum to semiconductors; from gaming to the New Space Economy, they all have the unique opportunity to help prepare for what comes next.
techUK members lead the development of these technologies. Together we are working with Government and other stakeholders to address tech innovation priorities and build an innovation ecosystem that will benefit people, society, economy and the planet - and unleash the UK as a global leader in tech and innovation.
For more information, or to get in touch, please visit our Innovation Hub and click ‘contact us’.
Tech and Innovation Summit, 6 Nov (rescheduled date)
Emerging technologies will be debated and explored at our annual Tech and Innovation Summit, taking place on 6 November. This campaign week will directly feed into the themes discussed at the Summit.
techUK’s flagship Tech and Innovation Summit returns to traverse the extraordinary and ground-breaking discoveries made possible by the application of emerging and transformative technologies.
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Sprint Campaigns
This campaign explored how the UK can lead on the development, application and commercialisation of space technologies and ultimately realise the benefits of the New Space Economy.
These technologies include AI, quantum, lasers, robotics & automation, advanced propulsion and materials, and semiconductors.
Activity has taken the form of roundtables, panel discussions, networking sessions, Summits, thought leadership pieces, policy recommendations, and a report.
Get in touch below to find out more about techUK's ongoing work in this area.
Event round-ups
Report
Insights
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Rory Daniels
Rory Daniels
Rory joined techUK in June 2023 after three years in the Civil Service on its Fast Stream leadership development programme.
During this time, Rory worked on the Government's response to Covid-19 (NHS Test & Trace), school funding strategy (Department for Education) and international climate and nature policy (Cabinet Office). He also tackled the social care crisis whilst on secondment to techUK's Health and Social Care programme in 2022.
Before this, Rory worked in the House of Commons and House of Lords alongside completing degrees in Political Economy and Global Politics.
Today, he is techUK's Programme Manager for Emerging Technologies, covering dozens of technologies including metaverse, drones, future materials, robotics, blockchain, space technologies, nanotechnology, gaming tech and Web3.0.
- Email:
- [email protected]
- LinkedIn:
- https://www.linkedin.com/in/rorydaniels28/
This campaign has explored how the UK can lead on the development, application and commercialisation of the technologies set to underpin the Gaming & Esports sector of the future.
These include AI, augmented / virtual / mixed / extended reality, haptics, cloud & edge computing, semiconductors, and advanced connectivity (5/6G).
Activity has taken the form of roundtables, panel discussions, networking sessions, Summits, and thought leadership pieces. A report featuring member case studies and policy recommendations is currently being produced (to be launched in September 2024).
Get in touch below to find out more about contributing to or collaborating on this campaign.
Event round-ups
Insights
Get in touch
Rory Daniels
Rory Daniels
Rory joined techUK in June 2023 after three years in the Civil Service on its Fast Stream leadership development programme.
During this time, Rory worked on the Government's response to Covid-19 (NHS Test & Trace), school funding strategy (Department for Education) and international climate and nature policy (Cabinet Office). He also tackled the social care crisis whilst on secondment to techUK's Health and Social Care programme in 2022.
Before this, Rory worked in the House of Commons and House of Lords alongside completing degrees in Political Economy and Global Politics.
Today, he is techUK's Programme Manager for Emerging Technologies, covering dozens of technologies including metaverse, drones, future materials, robotics, blockchain, space technologies, nanotechnology, gaming tech and Web3.0.
- Email:
- [email protected]
- LinkedIn:
- https://www.linkedin.com/in/rorydaniels28/
Running from July to December 2024, this campaign will explore how the UK can lead on the development, application and commercialisation of web3 and immersive technologies.
These include blockchain, smart contracts, digital assets, augmented / virtual / mixed / extended reality, spatial computing, haptics and holograms.
Activity will take the form of roundtables, workshops, panel discussions, networking sessions, tech demos, Summits, thought leadership pieces, policy recommendations, and reports.
Get in touch below to find out more about contributing to or collaborating on this campaign.
Upcoming events
Get in touch
Rory Daniels
Rory Daniels
Rory joined techUK in June 2023 after three years in the Civil Service on its Fast Stream leadership development programme.
During this time, Rory worked on the Government's response to Covid-19 (NHS Test & Trace), school funding strategy (Department for Education) and international climate and nature policy (Cabinet Office). He also tackled the social care crisis whilst on secondment to techUK's Health and Social Care programme in 2022.
Before this, Rory worked in the House of Commons and House of Lords alongside completing degrees in Political Economy and Global Politics.
Today, he is techUK's Programme Manager for Emerging Technologies, covering dozens of technologies including metaverse, drones, future materials, robotics, blockchain, space technologies, nanotechnology, gaming tech and Web3.0.
- Email:
- [email protected]
- LinkedIn:
- https://www.linkedin.com/in/rorydaniels28/
Campaign Weeks
Our annual Campaign Weeks enable techUK members to explore how the UK can lead on the development and application of emerging and transformative technologies.
Members do this by contributing blogs or vlogs, speaking at events, and highlighting examples of best practice within the UK's tech sector.
Summits
Tech and Innovation Summit 2023
Tech and Innovation Summit 2024
Ashley Feldman
Ashley Feldman
Ashley Feldman is the programme manager for transport and smart cities at techUK. Through working closely with the technology industry, his role is to promote the contribution of digital technology in driving positive outcomes for cities and transport. Through maintaining close ties to government, he also works to ensure the policy and regulatory conditions are optimised for businesses to scale innovation in the UK.
He is fascinated by cities and the built environment, having worked as a consultant on major regeneration projects across the country before joining techUK in 2022.
- Email:
- [email protected]
- Phone:
- 0201 331 2000
- LinkedIn:
- https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashley-feldman-98159587/
