A new independent body has been established to help the UK prepare for the arrival of driverless vehicles.

It comes amid growing evidence of both the technology’s potential and public uncertainty about its impact.

However, driverless taxis are currently being tested in London and will go live in the autumn.

Hands on, hands off

The Institute for Driverless Transport was officially launched in London on April 9, bringing together more than 200 policymakers, business leaders, researchers, technology entrepreneurs and trade union representatives.

It’s an organisation that aims to address the wider societal implications of autonomous vehicles as they move closer to mainstream adoption.

Working alongside the Department for Transport, regulators and industry stakeholders, the Institute will focus on ensuring the UK is prepared not just for the technology itself, but for its broader economic, social and security consequences.

While the road safety case for autonomous vehicles is widely recognised, given that human error is a factor in the vast majority of collisions, the Institute argues that other impacts remain underexplored.

These include effects on employment, productivity, urban planning and national security.

The organisation says it has been created to fill that gap, providing independent research and analysis to inform policy decisions before driverless vehicles are deployed at scale.

It will work with government, businesses, unions and communities to help manage what it describes as a “major transition” in transport.

The launch comes as the UK prepares to introduce its first commercial driverless services, including robotaxis, which are expected to operate on public roads in the near future.

Companies such as Waymo and Tesla are among those developing advanced systems, while trials are already underway in several locations.

However, new research commissioned by the Institute highlights significant public scepticism.

Bridging the void

A survey of 2,050 UK adults found that one in three people (33%) believe driverless cars offer no benefits at all, the most common single response.

At the same time, the findings suggest attitudes are nuanced rather than outright negative.

More than half (52%) of respondents identified at least one potential benefit.

The most frequently cited advantages were fewer drunk or dangerous drivers (31%) and improved transport access for disabled people (20%).

James Hutt, co-founder of the Institute, said the results point to a gap between technological progress and public understanding.

“Driverless vehicles are coming to British roads this year. But our polling shows the public conversation hasn’t caught up,” he said.

The survey also revealed clear generational differences.

Among younger adults aged 18 to 34, only 18% said driverless vehicles had no benefits.

In contrast, that figure rose sharply to 50% among those aged 65 and over, suggesting older drivers are more sceptical about the technology.

When asked about potential use cases, respondents showed some openness to specific scenarios.

Nearly a third (29%) said they would be likely to use a driverless car to get home after a night out—rising to 42% among younger adults.

Meanwhile, 28% said they would consider using one for medical appointments, and the same proportion for airport journeys.

Despite this, trust remains a key barrier.

When asked whether they would prefer a traditional taxi or a driverless one, 71% said they would choose a human driver.

Only 8% said they would actively prefer a driverless option, with 13% expressing no preference.

Security concerns are also emerging as an important issue.

The survey found that 41% of respondents believe only companies from the UK or allied countries should be allowed to operate driverless vehicles, while 24% disagreed.

Embracing the destination

Hutt said the findings highlight the need for more informed debate. “What’s clear from this data is that the public is not anti-technology; they’re cautious, and they haven’t been given enough information to think through the various consequences and form a view,” he said.

The Institute for Driverless Transport emphasises that it has no commercial interest in any specific technology or operator, positioning itself as an independent voice in a rapidly evolving sector.

As the UK moves closer to a driverless future, the success of autonomous vehicles may depend not only on technological capability but on how effectively policymakers and industry address public concerns.

The new body is intended to play a central role in ensuring that transition is managed safely, transparently and in the public interest.