Driverless cars on roads 'in decade'

It could take 30 years for completely driverless cars to become the norm, but within a decade they could be on the road in numbers and capable of interacting with 'old' technology driven cars, writes Brian Byrne.

That's the view of Martin Leach, chairman of automotive services provider Magma Group, who says there will be a degree of resistance from the public initially, particularly when it comes to trusting the technology at high speeds."

Although a number of the technologies to be used in autonomous cars have already been trialled, and some are in production such as advanced radar cruise control systems, legal issues are among the inhibiting factors.

But Leach points to advantages of the autonomous vehicles, such as permitting elderly and infirm, or people with severe disabilities, to be mobile.

He also suggests that driverless vans could be programmed to make deliveries at various times of day or night when there's reduced congestion.

He was speaking to Headline News in the UK.