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Oxford scientists create hands-free robot car to tackle congestion
6:04PM BST 10 Oct 2011
Professor Paul Newman, from the Department of Engineering Sciences at Oxford University, unveils a car with spatial awareness and the ability to navigate and drive itself.

The car, named 'Wildcat', interprets data from cameras, radar and lasers to "see" its surroundings and negotiate them safely.

Scientists at Oxford, who built the vehicle with help from defence contractor BAE Systems and carmakers Nissan, believe that as well improving quality of life for road users by "getting back some of their day", the technology will soon be able to cut traffic congestion as the robotic cars alert each other to traffic jams.

Project leader, Professor Paul Newman said he believed the breakthrough was just the beginning of a technological revolution in driving and beyond.
"It's not just about cars for me, there are many places where we are going to see smart robots labouring for us, defending us, protecting us," he said.
"Think of the nuclear reactors in Japan, that's the exactly the kind of places you want machines that can navigate and know what is around them, understand it and report back."