Bristol steering the way to driverless technology

Technology companies in Bristol say they are close to producing safe driverless cars for public use.

A number of organisations demonstrated test vehicles in Millennium Square as part of the @Bristol Science Festival.

The chancellor announced in April that £100million will be spent on developing the technology to mass-produce driverless cars.

A share of this funding will be given to Bristol based organisations who are working on the vehicles.

The University of the West of England is already involved in a pilot project.

One of the cars displayed is a 'pod' that can be used for short term journeys.

Designed in Bristol, it is fully electric and therefore a hit with environmental campaigners.

Another design shown is a converted Landrover that closer resembles a standard car.

The vehicle has been fitted with cameras which it uses to build up a 'picture' of its surroundings.

Bristol company Fusion Processing is providing the control system for the pod.

The company's CEO Jim Hutchinson says the technology is closer to being available than some may think.

Mr Hutchinson says the technology won't affect taxi and public transport jobs because it will operate on fixed routes.

He is confident the driverless cars will be popular once they are completed.