Autonomous vehicle developments emerge in UK and Spain

British electromobility company Voltempo is developing a 15.6-meter autonomous electric truck concept. The vehicle is designed without a driver's cab to maximize cargo space, functioning as what founder Michael Boxwell describes as a “smart trailer.” The five-axle prototype aims for a gross vehicle weight of 42 metric tons, which exceeds current standard limits for rigid trucks. Voltempo expects the first prototype to be completed by September 2027, promising a 15% increase in cargo space and higher payload capacity compared to conventional trucks.

In Spain, Uber and Bolt have announced plans to test “robotaxis” in Madrid before the end of the year. These trials will involve partnerships with WeRide and Stellantis, respectively. However, the vehicles will operate at Level 4 autonomy, which, according to DGT regulations, still requires a human driver to be present in the vehicle. While the companies aim for fully driverless operations, current regulatory frameworks in Spain necessitate human oversight for these specific automated systems.