Technicianless garages coming to UK

1 April 2015  

The UK’s first autonomous workshop is to be trialled in London ahead of a potential national rollout in 2016.

The news comes as the UK government is set to begin trials of driverless vehicles on public roads to see if they are feasible. The garage will feature a series of robots and computers on a ‘fully optical operating lane’ which will be able to carry out general servicing. Parts can be ordered during the process meaning a quicker repair time for customers.

Huma Ross for the Autonomous Practical Research in London group comments: “We see a day when driverless cars will bring themselves to technicianless garages meaning the general public can stay at home with a cup of tea knowing their vehicle is in safe circuits.

“Imagine an autonomous van delivering parts to an autonomous garage and the autonomous car driving home fully repaired. What’s better, these garages can run 24/7 so you could go to sleep with a broken vehicle and wake with a repaired one.”

The garage will operate for six months before a review is submitted to the government to see if the practice is transferrable to other areas. Then a Joint Operating Keynote Executive will decide whether to trial the concept in other areas before a full national rollout. If successful, the systems could be in place ready for the autonomous driving projects when they come into service.