Addison Lee Group is aiming to have autonomous vehicles on its London fleet by 2021, following a collaborative agreement with software developer Oxbotica.

Addison Lee and Oxbotica hope to have autonomous taxis on the road by 2021. (Pic: Oxbotica)

The two companies have agreed to share technology, expertise and resources to create detailed maps of 250,000 miles of London’s road network – down to kerbs, road signs, land marks and traffic lights. This will be the first stage of a project set to roll out to other markets in future.

Graeme Smith, CEO of Oxbotica, said: “Our partnership with Addison Lee Group represents another milestone for the commercial deployment of our integrated autonomous vehicle and fleet management software systems in complex urban transport conditions. Together, we are taking a major step in delivering the future of mobility.”

Andy Boland, CEO of Addison Lee Group, added: “Autonomous technology holds the key to many of the challenges we face in transport. By providing ride-sharing services, we can help address congestion, free space used for parking and improve urban air quality through zero-emission vehicles.”