Technology company nuTonomy has just started a self-driving taxi trial service in Singapore in what it claims to be a world first.
With the service, nuTonomy is offering smartphone users free rides around the One-North business district of Singapore in either its self-driving Mitsubishi i-MiEV or Renault Zoe.
As the company’s autonomous driving systems are still in their infancy, a company engineer will sit behind the driver’s seat to monitor the car and intervene if necessary. Following a successful trial, the firm plans to start a fully-fledged autonomous taxi service throughout the nation.
To test out the service, a number of locals were recruited by nuTonomy to jump into the passenger seat for a brief drive around some local roads. Impressively, the two cars performed without fault, offering users a glimpse into the future of the motoring industry.