This week’s announcement that Waymo is coming to London marks an important moment for the future of transport in the UK. Driverless technology has the potential to transform how we all move around the city, but only if it works for everyone.
At Proudlock Associates, we’ve spent time thinking about the opportunities and challenges these systems bring, especially for disabled people. In our previous article about driverless cars, we highlighted why inclusion can’t be an afterthought and explored the risks of designing these systems without disabled voices at the table.
Accessible transport isn’t just about adding a feature to the app. It’s about including disabled people in the design and decision-making process, so their needs are not only considered, but actually met.
With driverless vehicles, we have a new chance to do things differently. Without a human driver, the system has to take full responsibility for meeting people’s access needs. That means designing platforms that recognise those needs early, match passengers with suitable vehicles, and communicate clearly and accessibly at every stage of the journey.
What can we learn from other cities?
We’ve followed disabled users’ experiences with driverless services in other cities through social media, and there’s been both encouraging feedback and noticeable accessibility gaps. Some people with visual impairments have reported feeling safe and comfortable during their journeys, a positive sign of what’s possible when systems work well. But there are still key issues to address, such as:
- Standard seatbelts often lack extensions or adjustment options, making them unusable for many body types.
- Pickup locations aren’t always accurate, which can make it difficult for wheelchair users and others with limited mobility to locate and reach the vehicle.
- Routes are typically fixed, and riders can’t adjust them if real-time changes are needed.
- Pedestrian detection systems have sometimes failed to recognise wheelchair users or prioritise accessible drop-off points. Some studies report two key issues: the vehicle may not detect nearby drop-kerbs or accessible crossings, and it may also fail to identify that the passenger requires a mobility-accessible route.
It’s important to learn from the lessons of other cities to inform what happens next in London.
Waymo’s arrival in London is a big moment. We hope it’s also the start of a bigger conversation, one that puts access and lived experience at the heart of the driverless future.