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Scottish Sun
5 days ago
- Business
- Scottish Sun
Our iconic market ‘will be GONE in months' thanks to huge shopping centre & new flats plan – it's a ghost town
DEATH KNELL Our iconic market 'will be GONE in months' thanks to huge shopping centre & new flats plan – it's a ghost town Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) AN ICONIC market could be gone in months as redevelopment plans go ahead amid crippling competition from a major shopping centre. Shepherd's Bush Market, in West London, dates back 111 years but its future is uncertain as developers plan to build 40 flats as part of a nine-storey complex, and new shops. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 10 Many traders worry they could be priced out, pushed aside, or left behind Credit: Paul Edwards 10 Others are worried the character of the market won't survive the changes Credit: Paul Edwards 10 Sue French, 60, who has worked at Ellis's Pet Store for 43 years, blames the decline on competition Credit: Paul Edwards Hammersmith and Fulham Council approved Yoo Capital's £5million proposal to regenerate the area in late 2023, leading to gentrification fears among traders. The housing development will be located on the Old Laundry Site land opposite the market and includes the demolition of an apparent former homeless hostel. The council will manage the homes, with the scheme to include the revamp of sections of the market space itself, leaving many traders worried they'll be ushered out. However, many say the death knell was already sounded back in 2008, when the gargantuan Westfield shopping centre first opened. The modern mall covers 2,600,000 sq ft and cost £1.6 billion, featuring high street giants like John Lewis, Marks & Spencer, Next and Primark - meaning footfall at the market has been declining for years. And that's to mention the rise of online shopping, with people preferring to shop at Amazon - which is also causing devastating problems for more established outlets, and was accelerated during the Covid pandemic. 'Growth and potential' For stallholders like Bobby Singhy, 45, whose family has been part of the market for over five decades, the place holds deep personal value. 'The market is wonderful, great characters, always here to help one another,' he told The Sun this week. 'There's a lot of growth and potential in this area. My stall has been here for 55 years—my grandad, then my dad, then me.' Others are worried the character of the market won't survive the changes. Wrecking machines move in to demolish 'ghost town' Scots estate dubbed 'Britain's Chernobyl' Sue French, 60, who has worked at Ellis's Pet Store for 43 years, blames the decline on competition. 'The market has changed a lot over the years," she said. "This used to be busy but when they made Westfield that killed us." 'At the moment, Yoo Capital are trying to fix it.' Traders say footfall has plummeted in recent years. 'I've seen lots and lots of people just walk past the market,' said Sue. 'The bus doesn't even stop near the market. People can't afford to rent stalls here… they're here for a few months and leave. "This is the only original part of Shepherd's Market that is left.' This used to be busy but when they made Westfield that killed us. Sue French Joanna Lee, 58, a lifelong local, fears that too much is being lost to development and that the market's unique character is under threat. 'They can't build over this — you can't take away this market… I believe we're witnessing the death of the market,' she said. 'I've grown up on this market and I don't want it to change because that's how it starts. "This used to be the place to go. There were lots and lots of shops all selling different things, and now the stalls are one by one packing up and closing." 'Now it doesn't matter' One jewellery stall worker, who has been at the market for 40 years, but asked not to be named, fears promises won't be kept. 'The market is very quiet – in the old days, weekends were packed - but now it doesn't matter,' she said. 'Yoo Capital said they won't gentrify and will regenerate it instead… I'm not worried as long as it's not gentrified.' 10 Market trader Bobby Singhy, 45, operates a stall previously occupied by his grandad and dad Credit: Paul Edwards 10 Abdul Idris, 60, believe the area needs a change Credit: Paul Edwards 10 Tony Lucky, 67, said online shopping and parking price rises are killing the market Credit: Paul Edwards The developers' deal struck with the council will see new homes and shops at one end, and investment in the rest of the market space. But not everyone is convinced it will be a good thing. 'There's a danger of Shepherd's Bush Market becoming gentrified like Brixton Market. There's been a lot of changes over the years,' said the unnamed local. 'This market is so multicultural and has a lot of life. "We have a wave of Asians, Afghans, Arabs and any changes may put people off from entering. "And that includes any major changes Yoo Capital makes." Online has defeated us and people going straight to Amazon and ordering from China. There's no parking and that's been the most challenging thing – it's acting like a deterrent to a lot of customers. Tony Lucky Tony Lucky, 67, owner of ZamZam Luggage, blames high parking charges and online competition. 'Online has defeated us and people going straight to Amazon and ordering from China,' he said. 'There's no parking and that's been the most challenging thing – it's acting like a deterrent to a lot of customers. Every hour it costs £5 or you get a parking fine of £80. 'Yoo Capital want to build more flats and don't care about the market,' he said. 'This market has been here 100 years and no problem – but now they want to break all this and rebuild the flats.' 'We need a change, but the right one' Abdul Idris, 60, has worked at his home goods stall since childhood. 'Tesco and other big stuff have been taking the spotlight away from shops in the market,' he said. 'We need a change of things. Development is happening but I don't know when – we need a change, but the right one.' For many, there's still hope. Laura Sakstein, 67, who runs 'This is Nuts', a family-run store her father opened in 1933, believes the market has life left in it. 'Back in the day it was packed – you couldn't get in the market,' she said. 'It's not just Shepherd's Bush, it's retail everywhere today.' 'Walthamstow used to be a fabulous market but I don't think it is what it was. "It's got potential, this place, but we need new variety,' she said. 'Community spirit is what it's all about. Westfield shouldn't be competition to the market. Retail everywhere is suffering.' According to Yoo Capital, the redevelopment is meant to protect the market's future. Redevelopment plan A 9-storey commercial building will be built on the Old Laundry Site next to the market, with 40 council-managed homes and upgrades to existing stalls. A spokesperson for Yoo Capital stated: 'Our commitment to the Market remains as strong as when we acquired the site in 2020. "Following the granting of full planning permission at the end of 2024, we have been hard at work, formulating the most cohesive plan for construction. "This allows us to not only look forward to the best final result – where traders can enjoy an upgraded market that better supports their needs – but also considers the effect of construction, minimising disruption to trade and ensuring the Market remains open throughout, as it has done for the past 111 years.' Louise Page-Jennings, a spokesperson for Yoo Capital, also shared with The Sun: 'We are carefully curating the Market and will introduce new tenants through the Market Academy during the construction process.' The Academy will offer free training to traders on merchandising, marketing, and business skills. She added, 'The Market will remain open throughout the works, with efforts in place to minimize any disruption.' Ms Page-Jennings said traders will be offered support worth over £5 million, including rent-free options during construction, sabbaticals, or lease buyouts. Those choosing to stay can access compensation of £7,500 to £12,500, plus up to £50,000 in profit-loss support, she added. A minimum of £7,500 financial support for traders that wish to open during construction. And no rent or service charge during Market construction Traders on sabbatical may receive up to £3,000 a month in payments and get brand new units or funds to upgrade existing ones. Rents will be fixed for five years after construction ends — but the market will eventually be opened to private buyers. Critics say that leaves uncertainty about what happens next. Paul Bardini, 69, whose grandfather first worked in the market in 1919, sees the other side. 'The investment could give the market a face-lift and bring in new customers,' he said. As traders wait and watch, hope hangs in the air — alongside fears of losing something irreplaceable. The Sun has contacted Westfield and Hammersmith and Fulham Council for comment. Do you know more? Email 10 Laura Sakstein, 67, is remaining positive and believes the market still has a place in today's world Credit: Paul Edwards 10 The market first opened 111 years ago Credit: Paul Edwards 10 Westfield shopping centre in Shepherds Bush opened in 2008 Credit: The Sun
The Irish Sun
5 days ago
- Business
- The Irish Sun
Our iconic market ‘will be GONE in months' thanks to huge shopping centre & new flats plan – it's a ghost town
AN ICONIC market could be gone in months as redevelopment plans go ahead amid crippling competition from a major shopping centre. Shepherd's Bush Market, in West London, dates back 111 years but its 10 Many traders worry they could be priced out, pushed aside, or left behind Credit: Paul Edwards 10 Others are worried the character of the market won't survive the changes Credit: Paul Edwards 10 Sue French, 60, who has worked at Ellis's Pet Store for 43 years, blames the decline on competition Credit: Paul Edwards The housing development will be located on the Old Laundry Site land opposite the market and includes the demolition of an apparent former homeless hostel. The council will manage the homes, with the scheme to include the revamp of sections of the market space itself, leaving many traders worried they'll be ushered out. However, many say the death knell was already sounded back in 2008, when the gargantuan Westfield shopping centre first opened. READ MORE NEWS The modern mall covers 2,600,000 sq ft and cost £1.6 billion, featuring high street giants like John Lewis , Marks & Spencer , Next and Primark - meaning footfall at the market has been declining for years. And that's to mention the rise of online shopping, with people preferring to shop at Amazon - which is also causing devastating problems for more established outlets, and was accelerated during the Covid pandemic. 'Growth and potential' For stallholders like Bobby Singhy, 45, whose family has been part of the market for over five decades, the place holds deep personal value. 'The market is wonderful, great characters, always here to help one another,' he told The Sun this week. Most read in The Sun 'There's a lot of growth and potential in this area. My stall has been here for 55 years—my grandad, then my dad, then me.' Others are worried the character of the market won't survive the changes. Wrecking machines move in to demolish 'ghost town' Scots estate dubbed 'Britain's Chernobyl' Sue French, 60, who has worked at Ellis's Pet Store for 43 years, blames the decline on competition. 'The market has changed a lot over the years," she said. "This used to be busy but when they made Westfield that killed us." 'At the moment, Yoo Capital are trying to fix it.' Traders say footfall has plummeted in recent years. 'I've seen lots and lots of people just walk past the market,' said Sue. 'The bus doesn't even stop near the market. People can't afford to rent stalls here… they're here for a few months and leave. "This is the only original part of Shepherd's Market that is left.' This used to be busy but when they made Westfield that killed us. Sue French Ellis's Pet Store employee Joanna Lee, 58, a lifelong local, fears that too much is being lost to development and that the market's unique character is under threat. 'They can't build over this — you can't take away this market… I believe we're witnessing the death of the market,' she said. 'I've grown up on this market and I don't want it to change because that's how it starts. "This used to be the place to go. There were lots and lots of shops all selling different things, and now the stalls are one by one packing up and closing." 'Now it doesn't matter' One jewellery stall worker, who has been at the market for 40 years, but asked not to be named, fears promises won't be kept. 'The market is very quiet – in the old days, weekends were packed - but now it doesn't matter,' she said. 'Yoo Capital said they won't gentrify and will regenerate it instead… I'm not worried as long as it's not gentrified.' 10 Market trader Bobby Singhy, 45, operates a stall previously occupied by his grandad and dad Credit: Paul Edwards 10 Abdul Idris, 60, believe the area needs a change Credit: Paul Edwards 10 Tony Lucky, 67, said online shopping and parking price rises are killing the market Credit: Paul Edwards The developers' deal struck with the council will see new homes and shops at one end, and investment in the rest of the market space. But not everyone is convinced it will be a good thing. 'There's a danger of Shepherd's Bush Market becoming 'This market is so multicultural and has a lot of life. "We have a wave of Asians, Afghans, Arabs and any changes may put people off from entering. "And that includes any major changes Yoo Capital makes." Online has defeated us and people going straight to Amazon and ordering from China. There's no parking and that's been the most challenging thing – it's acting like a deterrent to a lot of customers. Tony Lucky ZamZam Luggage owner Tony Lucky, 67, owner of ZamZam Luggage, blames high parking charges and online competition. 'Online has defeated us and people going straight to Amazon and ordering from China,' he said. 'There's no parking and that's been the most challenging thing – it's acting like a deterrent to a lot of customers. Every hour it costs £5 or you get a parking fine of £80. 'Yoo Capital want to build more flats and don't care about the market,' he said. 'This market has been here 100 years and no problem – but now they want to break all this and rebuild the flats.' 'We need a change, but the right one' Abdul Idris, 60, has worked at his home goods stall since childhood. 'Tesco and other big stuff have been taking the spotlight away from shops in the market,' he said. 'We need a change of things. Development is happening but I don't know when – we need a change, but the right one.' For many, there's still hope. Laura Sakstein, 67, who runs 'This is Nuts', a family-run store her father opened in 1933, believes the market has life left in it. 'Back in the day it was packed – you couldn't get in the market,' she said. 'It's not just Shepherd's Bush, it's retail everywhere today.' 'Walthamstow used to be a fabulous market but I don't think it is what it was. "It's got potential, this place, but we need new variety,' she said. 'Community spirit is what it's all about. Westfield shouldn't be competition to the market. Retail everywhere is suffering.' According to Yoo Capital, the redevelopment is meant to protect the market's future. Redevelopment plan A 9-storey commercial building will be built on the Old Laundry Site next to the market, with 40 council-managed homes and upgrades to existing stalls. A spokesperson for Yoo Capital stated: 'Our commitment to the Market remains as strong as when we acquired the site in 2020. "Following the granting of full planning permission at the end of 2024, we have been hard at work, formulating the most cohesive plan for construction. "This allows us to not only look forward to the best final result – where traders can enjoy an upgraded market that better supports their needs – but also considers the effect of construction, minimising disruption to trade and ensuring the Market remains open throughout, as it has done for the past 111 years.' Louise Page-Jennings, a spokesperson for Yoo Capital, also shared with The Sun: 'We are carefully curating the Market and will introduce new tenants through the Market Academy during the construction process.' The Academy will offer free training to traders on merchandising, marketing, and business skills. She added, 'The Market will remain open throughout the works, with efforts in place to minimize any disruption.' Ms Page-Jennings said traders will be offered support worth over £5 million, including rent-free options during construction, sabbaticals, or lease buyouts. Those choosing to stay can access compensation of £7,500 to £12,500, plus up to £50,000 in profit-loss support, she added. A minimum of £7,500 financial support for traders that wish to open during construction. And no rent or service charge during Market construction Traders on sabbatical may receive up to £3,000 a month in payments and get brand new units or funds to upgrade existing ones. Rents will be fixed for five years after construction ends — but the market will eventually be opened to private buyers. Critics say that leaves uncertainty about what happens next. Paul Bardini, 69, whose grandfather first worked in the market in 1919, sees the other side. 'The investment could give the market a face-lift and bring in new customers,' he said. As traders wait and watch, hope hangs in the air — alongside fears of losing something irreplaceable. The Sun has contacted Westfield and Hammersmith and Fulham Council for comment. Do you know more? Email 10 Laura Sakstein, 67, is remaining positive and believes the market still has a place in today's world Credit: Paul Edwards 10 The market first opened 111 years ago Credit: Paul Edwards 10 Westfield shopping centre in Shepherds Bush opened in 2008 Credit: The Sun 10 The shopping centre has reduced the footfall over the years, market traders claim Credit: The Sun
The Irish Sun
11-06-2025
- Automotive
- The Irish Sun
I took a ride in AI-powered robotaxis set to hit UK – they have more gadgets than James Bond but I missed key element
AS my odd-looking taxi pulled up, it was comforting to know that the driver couldn't have downed a skinful the night before. And I was certain this cabbie wouldn't spend the journey telling me why my football team, 6 Robot Jaguar I-PACE has a light on top that displays the name of the person it is picking up Credit: Paul Edwards 6 The Sun's Oliver sitting in a Waymo vehicle waiting for it to take him on his 1.6-mile journey Credit: Paul Edwards 6 Navigating a multi-lane highway with no one at the wheel as traffic whizzes by Credit: Paul Edwards That's because there wasn't a human behind the steering wheel. I was about to take a ride in an AI-powered robotaxi. They are coming to Britain next year after driverless vehicles were given the go-ahead. Ride-hailing app Uber will be allowed to put passengers' lives in the hands of artificial intelligence in London. For someone who has struggled to comprehend tech since the invention of the SodaStream, this ride was a frightening prospect. Well, would you get on an airliner without a pilot? READ MORE ON ROBOTAXIS Gazing out on to the busy freeway in Phoenix, Arizona, with giant SUVs motoring past, I had a similar pang of nerves about riding in the driverless contraption that had come to pick me up. More gadgets than Bond I had read some horror stories about robotaxies going rogue. In 2021, a self-driving car in the sunbelt city became confused by traffic cones then drove away from a technician sent to rescue it. Eventually the Waymo motor had to be disabled so a human driver could get behind the wheel. The passenger filmed the 33-minute debacle and plastered it on YouTube. Most read in Motors Last year a General Motors-owned Cruise robotaxi struck and dragged a pedestrian 20 feet in San Francisco. The woman — who was injured — survived the ordeal. And in 2018 a cyclist was killed by an Uber cyber car with a safety driver in Phoenix. Watch moment passenger left TRAPPED in driverless car 'going round in circles' after robot taxi malfunctions The back-up driver had been looking down to watch The Voice TV show which he was streaming when Elaine Herzberg, 49, crossed a darkened road in front of her. It was the first fatal collision involving a fully autonomous vehicle. Nevertheless, with self-driving cars being touted as the Booking my ride was simple. I downloaded the app of Waymo One — a self-drive firm owned by Google's parent company Alphabet — and punched in my details along with where I wanted to go. With the thermometer hitting 39C in this desert city, I was on the hunt for a nice, cool pint of Guinness and was told Casey Moore's Oyster House was the place to go. At least there would be no argument about designated drivers. Soon I was tracking the Waymo on my phone as it surged to my hotel through the early rush-hour traffic. And then the gleaming white Jaguar I-PACE came into view — with no one at the wheel. On the roof was something that looked like a giant police blue light with my initials displayed on it. Unlocking its door with the app, I sat in the back (no one is allowed in the driver's seat) as the Waymo played calming elevator music. 6 Screen on dashboard to greet passenger and button they must press to get going Credit: Paul Edwards 6 Booking a ride on app, which is also used to unlock the door Credit: Paul Edwards I pressed a screen between the front seats saying 'start ride'. Then, a bit like KITT, the car from Eighties TV series Knight Rider, Waymo began talking. As we pulled smoothly away from the hotel forecourt, the robotaxi told me to buckle up. And then, with the steering wheel spinning as if by some invisible force, we eased into the Phoenix traffic as I let out an involuntary 'whoaa!' On the opposite side of the road cars were whizzing towards us but all-electric Waymo deftly navigated the right path before pulling up at a red light. How did it know it was red? That's one for the brainiacs. Swinging left into East Apache Boulevard, I caught sight of a couple of pedestrians ahead. How would the cyber motor react? My Waymo One slowed and made sure to give them a wide berth. That's because it is bristling with more gadgets than a James Bond car. Its sensors include cameras, radars and something called lidars which use lasers to create a 3D image of the vehicle's surroundings. The in-car computer then makes sense of all the data that Waymo is gathering. And, learning to trust the tech, I was soon beginning to relax. All speed limits were observed and driving rules obeyed. The ride was smooth and felt safe. Perhaps I was better off without a driver after all. Wayve's technology operates more like a human driver would learning to drive in one city and then applying that knowledge to drive in new places. Bill Gates Britain's Department for Transport estimates that 88 per cent of road accidents are caused by human error. Soon we were pulling up outside the pub. Keeping the rear door open a little too long, an actual human called Brian came through on Waymo's intercom to check I was OK. He was certainly more amenable than Johnny, the robot driver of the taxi in 1990 sci-fi flick Total Recall, who My 14-minute journey over 1.6 miles had cost $9.33 (just over £7). And, unlike most things in America, there was no need to add a tip. Waymo One serves 180 square miles of Arizona's capital — that makes Phoenix the largest fully autonomous ride-hail service zone in the world. After a couple of pints, I decided to summon another Waymo. Not arriving at the front of the pub as I had imagined, it headed to- wards a park- ing lot at the back. Would the robotaxi be able to navigate this manoeuvre? In May this year another empty Waymo trying to pick up its ride collided with a telephone pole in a Phoenix alleyway. No one was injured but pictures show a fire crew attending the scene with the robotaxi suffering a crumpled front grill. Hunk of metal Waymo voluntarily recalled its 672-car fleet for a software update in what the company called a 'safety-first approach'. The crash was put down to the robotaxi's software having 'assigned a low damage score' to the pole. It had misjudged the danger because there was no kerb or clear road edge. My Waymo pulled into the parking lot smoothly and confidently. But, unlike many humans, could it parallel park? Indeed it could and reversing is no problem either. And — despite having sampled some local beverages — there was no barked warning: 'Mate, you're not going to be sick in my cab, are you?' Soon this taxi was traversing the two miles to Society restaurant like a London cabbie with The Knowledge. The 11-minute ride cost $13.31 (£10.25). Again, no tip required by the computer chip and its hunk of metal. With millions employed as drivers across the globe, tech titans are investing billions in robo vehicle technology for what they see as a lucrative driverless future. 6 Johnny drives Arnold Schwarzenegger in 1990 sci-fi flick Total Recall Last year Elon Musk unveiled Tesla's Cybercab at the Warner Bros studio lot in Hollywood. The world's richest man insisted that the sleek, golden two-seater car without a steering wheel or pedals will be on sale 'before 2027'. Meanwhile Amazon-owned Zoox's self-driving cars will soon be available to the public in Las Vegas. In Scotland a robobus with a back-up driver plies a route over the Forth Road Bridge. Wuhan in China — where Covid was first detected — has more than 400 self-driving Apollo Go cars taking passengers. Tech giant Baidu delayed increasing the fleet to a thousand after complaints by human taxi drivers. A cab firm in the city accused the robotaxis of 'taking jobs from the grass roots'. It will be far from the last time humans protest about losing their jobs to AI-powered robots. Self-driving cars could bring jobs, investment, and the opportunity for the UK to be among the world leaders in new technology. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander Over here, the UK start-up Wayve will be teaming up with Uber for its taxi service next spring. If all goes well, the plan is to roll out these services across the country in the second half of 2027 when last year's Automated Vehicles Act comes fully into force. Founded in 2017 by New Zealand-born Alex Kendall, Wayve believes it can produce robocars that are safer and cheaper than anyone else by giving the car 'its own brain.' Its AI-driven software can be used to make any car self-driving using cameras. The live images are used to train itself to drive by visual observation. Microsoft founder Bill Gates went for a ride to get fish and chips in a Wayve-powered motor — with a back-up driver — while in London. The tech giant said: 'Other self-driving technologies work only on specific mapped streets. 'Wayve's technology operates more like a human driver would learning to drive in one city and then applying that knowledge to drive in new places.' In May, Wayve raised $1.05billion (£840million) in funding, with Microsoft and Nvidia, a leading chip-maker, among investors. It is the largest known investment in an AI company in Europe to date. According to the Department for Transport, the UK cybercar industry could be worth £42billion and create 38,000 jobs by 2035. This week, Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said: 'The future of transport is arriving. 'Self-driving cars could bring jobs, investment, and the opportunity for the UK to be among the world leaders in new technology.' Back in Phoenix, I summoned another Waymo for a ride back to my hotel. By now I was relaxed enough to enjoy the experience of being driven through the night-time streets by a machine seemingly with a mind of its own. Yet, as the journey progressed, I realised I was missing something. There was no round-up of the Champions League scores and no chat about the most famous person to ride in the cab. Waymos don't do banter. You still need a human driver for that.
Scottish Sun
11-06-2025
- Automotive
- Scottish Sun
I took a ride in AI-powered robotaxis set to hit UK – they have more gadgets than James Bond but I missed key element
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) AS my odd-looking taxi pulled up, it was comforting to know that the driver couldn't have downed a skinful the night before. And I was certain this cabbie wouldn't spend the journey telling me why my football team, Crystal Palace, aren't as good as I think they are. 6 Robot Jaguar I-PACE has a light on top that displays the name of the person it is picking up Credit: Paul Edwards 6 The Sun's Oliver sitting in a Waymo vehicle waiting for it to take him on his 1.6-mile journey Credit: Paul Edwards 6 Navigating a multi-lane highway with no one at the wheel as traffic whizzes by Credit: Paul Edwards That's because there wasn't a human behind the steering wheel. I was about to take a ride in an AI-powered robotaxi. They are coming to Britain next year after driverless vehicles were given the go-ahead. Ride-hailing app Uber will be allowed to put passengers' lives in the hands of artificial intelligence in London. For someone who has struggled to comprehend tech since the invention of the SodaStream, this ride was a frightening prospect. Well, would you get on an airliner without a pilot? READ MORE ON ROBOTAXIS BUCKLE UP! Uber self-driving robotaxis are coming to UK roads NEXT YEAR Gazing out on to the busy freeway in Phoenix, Arizona, with giant SUVs motoring past, I had a similar pang of nerves about riding in the driverless contraption that had come to pick me up. More gadgets than Bond I had read some horror stories about robotaxies going rogue. In 2021, a self-driving car in the sunbelt city became confused by traffic cones then drove away from a technician sent to rescue it. Eventually the Waymo motor had to be disabled so a human driver could get behind the wheel. The passenger filmed the 33-minute debacle and plastered it on YouTube. Last year a General Motors-owned Cruise robotaxi struck and dragged a pedestrian 20 feet in San Francisco. The woman — who was injured — survived the ordeal. And in 2018 a cyclist was killed by an Uber cyber car with a safety driver in Phoenix. Watch moment passenger left TRAPPED in driverless car 'going round in circles' after robot taxi malfunctions The back-up driver had been looking down to watch The Voice TV show which he was streaming when Elaine Herzberg, 49, crossed a darkened road in front of her. It was the first fatal collision involving a fully autonomous vehicle. Nevertheless, with self-driving cars being touted as the future of motoring, it was time for a test run. Booking my ride was simple. I downloaded the app of Waymo One — a self-drive firm owned by Google's parent company Alphabet — and punched in my details along with where I wanted to go. With the thermometer hitting 39C in this desert city, I was on the hunt for a nice, cool pint of Guinness and was told Casey Moore's Oyster House was the place to go. At least there would be no argument about designated drivers. Soon I was tracking the Waymo on my phone as it surged to my hotel through the early rush-hour traffic. And then the gleaming white Jaguar I-PACE came into view — with no one at the wheel. On the roof was something that looked like a giant police blue light with my initials displayed on it. Unlocking its door with the app, I sat in the back (no one is allowed in the driver's seat) as the Waymo played calming elevator music. 6 Screen on dashboard to greet passenger and button they must press to get going Credit: Paul Edwards 6 Booking a ride on app, which is also used to unlock the door Credit: Paul Edwards I pressed a screen between the front seats saying 'start ride'. Then, a bit like KITT, the car from Eighties TV series Knight Rider, Waymo began talking. As we pulled smoothly away from the hotel forecourt, the robotaxi told me to buckle up. And then, with the steering wheel spinning as if by some invisible force, we eased into the Phoenix traffic as I let out an involuntary 'whoaa!' On the opposite side of the road cars were whizzing towards us but all-electric Waymo deftly navigated the right path before pulling up at a red light. How did it know it was red? That's one for the brainiacs. Swinging left into East Apache Boulevard, I caught sight of a couple of pedestrians ahead. How would the cyber motor react? My Waymo One slowed and made sure to give them a wide berth. That's because it is bristling with more gadgets than a James Bond car. Its sensors include cameras, radars and something called lidars which use lasers to create a 3D image of the vehicle's surroundings. The in-car computer then makes sense of all the data that Waymo is gathering. And, learning to trust the tech, I was soon beginning to relax. All speed limits were observed and driving rules obeyed. The ride was smooth and felt safe. Perhaps I was better off without a driver after all. Wayve's technology operates more like a human driver would learning to drive in one city and then applying that knowledge to drive in new places. Bill Gates Britain's Department for Transport estimates that 88 per cent of road accidents are caused by human error. Soon we were pulling up outside the pub. Keeping the rear door open a little too long, an actual human called Brian came through on Waymo's intercom to check I was OK. He was certainly more amenable than Johnny, the robot driver of the taxi in 1990 sci-fi flick Total Recall, who Arnold Schwarzenegger ripped out of the cab in frustration be- cause he was not listening to his in- structions. My 14-minute journey over 1.6 miles had cost $9.33 (just over £7). And, unlike most things in America, there was no need to add a tip. Waymo One serves 180 square miles of Arizona's capital — that makes Phoenix the largest fully autonomous ride-hail service zone in the world. After a couple of pints, I decided to summon another Waymo. Not arriving at the front of the pub as I had imagined, it headed to- wards a park- ing lot at the back. Would the robotaxi be able to navigate this manoeuvre? In May this year another empty Waymo trying to pick up its ride collided with a telephone pole in a Phoenix alleyway. No one was injured but pictures show a fire crew attending the scene with the robotaxi suffering a crumpled front grill. Hunk of metal Waymo voluntarily recalled its 672-car fleet for a software update in what the company called a 'safety-first approach'. The crash was put down to the robotaxi's software having 'assigned a low damage score' to the pole. It had misjudged the danger because there was no kerb or clear road edge. My Waymo pulled into the parking lot smoothly and confidently. But, unlike many humans, could it parallel park? Indeed it could and reversing is no problem either. And — despite having sampled some local beverages — there was no barked warning: 'Mate, you're not going to be sick in my cab, are you?' Soon this taxi was traversing the two miles to Society restaurant like a London cabbie with The Knowledge. The 11-minute ride cost $13.31 (£10.25). Again, no tip required by the computer chip and its hunk of metal. With millions employed as drivers across the globe, tech titans are investing billions in robo vehicle technology for what they see as a lucrative driverless future. 6 Johnny drives Arnold Schwarzenegger in 1990 sci-fi flick Total Recall Last year Elon Musk unveiled Tesla's Cybercab at the Warner Bros studio lot in Hollywood. The world's richest man insisted that the sleek, golden two-seater car without a steering wheel or pedals will be on sale 'before 2027'. Meanwhile Amazon-owned Zoox's self-driving cars will soon be available to the public in Las Vegas. In Scotland a robobus with a back-up driver plies a route over the Forth Road Bridge. Wuhan in China — where Covid was first detected — has more than 400 self-driving Apollo Go cars taking passengers. Tech giant Baidu delayed increasing the fleet to a thousand after complaints by human taxi drivers. A cab firm in the city accused the robotaxis of 'taking jobs from the grass roots'. It will be far from the last time humans protest about losing their jobs to AI-powered robots. Self-driving cars could bring jobs, investment, and the opportunity for the UK to be among the world leaders in new technology. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander Over here, the UK start-up Wayve will be teaming up with Uber for its taxi service next spring. If all goes well, the plan is to roll out these services across the country in the second half of 2027 when last year's Automated Vehicles Act comes fully into force. Founded in 2017 by New Zealand-born Alex Kendall, Wayve believes it can produce robocars that are safer and cheaper than anyone else by giving the car 'its own brain.' Its AI-driven software can be used to make any car self-driving using cameras. The live images are used to train itself to drive by visual observation. Microsoft founder Bill Gates went for a ride to get fish and chips in a Wayve-powered motor — with a back-up driver — while in London. The tech giant said: 'Other self-driving technologies work only on specific mapped streets. 'Wayve's technology operates more like a human driver would learning to drive in one city and then applying that knowledge to drive in new places.' In May, Wayve raised $1.05billion (£840million) in funding, with Microsoft and Nvidia, a leading chip-maker, among investors. It is the largest known investment in an AI company in Europe to date. According to the Department for Transport, the UK cybercar industry could be worth £42billion and create 38,000 jobs by 2035. This week, Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said: 'The future of transport is arriving. 'Self-driving cars could bring jobs, investment, and the opportunity for the UK to be among the world leaders in new technology.' Back in Phoenix, I summoned another Waymo for a ride back to my hotel. By now I was relaxed enough to enjoy the experience of being driven through the night-time streets by a machine seemingly with a mind of its own. Yet, as the journey progressed, I realised I was missing something. There was no round-up of the Champions League scores and no chat about the most famous person to ride in the cab. Waymos don't do banter. You still need a human driver for that.
The Irish Sun
04-06-2025
- Business
- The Irish Sun
Cash-strapped Government trying to flog half-built warships amid claims it can't afford to finish them
THE Government is trying to flog half-built warships amid claims it can-not afford to finish them. Military top brass invited Norway to buy £1billion frigates HMS Belfast and Birmingham, which are midway through construction. 2 Selling half-built warships would give Defence Secretary John Healey and the Treasury breathing space to find the time to pay for them, a source said Credit: Alamy Selling them would give But they added that the Navy would have to wait years to get its promised eight vessels if Norway jumped the queue. They said: "The Royal Navy only has eight frigates, the smallest number in its history. 'It desperately needs these new Type 26 frigates as soon as possible. READ MORE ON THE ROYAL NAVY 'But the MoD budget is under so much pressure that selling the half-built hulls to Norway would give the Treasury breathing space to find the time to pay for them.' It comes after the Strategic Defence Review warned the Navy needed a 'cheaper, simpler fleet'. The MoD said Norway was 'one of the UK's most important allies'. A Norwegian source said: 'The government of Norway is in the final phases of making a decision, but no date has been set.' Most read in The Sun Proud Scots workers watch latest Royal Navy frigate roll out at Babcock Rosyth shipyard 2 The Government is trying to flog half-built warships amid claims it can-not afford to finish them Credit: Paul Edwards - The Sun
