Partners for Automated Vehicle Education United Kingdom (PAVE UK) has expanded its membership to include three new leading organisations from the insurance, accessibility, and legal sectors.
With the addition of Acorn Group, the Motability Foundation and Shoosmiths, PAVE UK is broadening the range of expertise shaping its work to build public trust and understanding of self-driving vehicle technology.
As the UK moves closer to the widespread deployment of automated vehicles, the three organisations will join existing members and global industry leaders, Wayve, Uber and Nissan, in a collaborative effort to educate the public, address common misconceptions and support the safe and responsible introduction of self-driving technology across the UK.
The new members join at a pivotal moment for the UK self-driving sector. As the UK’s regulatory framework continues to develop and industry deployments expand across the country, the conversation around self-driving vehicles is increasingly moving beyond technology development alone to encompass accessibility, legal frameworks, insurance, public confidence, and societal benefit.
By bringing together expertise from across these areas, PAVE UK is ensuring that the future of self-driving mobility is informed by a diverse range of perspectives and underpinned by strong evidence based on public understanding, trust, and acceptance.
Professor Siddartha Khastgir, Director of PAVE UK and Head of Safe Autonomy at Warwick Manufacturing Group (WMG), University of Warwick, explained:
“At a pivotal moment for the UK self-driving vehicle ecosystem as the technology graduates to commercial deployment, we are delighted to welcome Acorn Group, the Motability Foundation and Shoosmiths. Together with our existing members, this new insurance, accessibility, and legal expertise and focus, gives us a holistic view towards a responsible deployment of self-driving vehicle technology.
“It also demonstrates how our membership base is evolving to reflect the diverse stakeholders as the questions around accessibility, liability, consumer confidence, and public benefit become just as important as the technology itself.”
Nigel Fletcher, Chief Executive of Motability Foundation, said:
“Self-driving vehicles have the potential to transform how disabled people travel, offering greater independence, more choice and access to journeys that might otherwise be difficult or impossible. By working with PAVE UK, we are ensuring that disabled people’s voices are heard so that the development of self-driving vehicles contributes to a transport system, where every disabled person has the freedom to make the journeys they choose.”
Ben Gardner, Partner at Shoosmiths, added:
“Having advised on a range of automated vehicle projects, Shoosmiths is delighted to join PAVE UK and contribute our legal and sector expertise to the informed, inclusive dialogue needed to support responsible deployment, a clear legal framework and realise the benefits of this technology for people, businesses and communities across the UK.”
Mike Lloyd, CEO of Acorn Group, said:
“Joining PAVE UK means we can help give drivers clear, balanced information about what self-driving means for safety, accident liability, and the impact on insurance cover. We look forward to bringing an insurer’s voice and insights to the conversation.”
(Picture: PAVE UK)
