Coventry-based manufacturer RDM Group held the first public demonstration of its driverless vehicle on 14 September (www.rdmgroup.co.uk).

The company, which employs 65 people at its headquarters in the city, used its debut at the CENEX LCV 2016 trade show to trial its Pod Zero vehicle in full autonomous mode.

Visitors to the show at the Millbrook Proving Ground were able to see it move around a specially laid-out track designed to show its versatility.

David Keene, who founded the business in 1993, said: “It’s a massive moment for our business and in the UK’s desire to lead the way when it comes to driverless vehicle technology.

“The company has invested millions of pounds in the technology, and our team has created a vehicle that can operate in total autonomous mode. This means that there is no driver or human controlling the vehicle, a UK first when it comes to ‘first and last mile’ transport solutions.”

The company developed a special version of the vehicle for the show, which was transparent from the wheels up, giving a perfect view of the inside. RDM has developed autonomous vehicles that will be available in two-, four- and eight-seater variations.

These are targeted at city transport authorities, airports, shopping centres and academic campuses. They have an operational range of 60 miles, can travel with a top speed of 15mph and have been designed to accommodate passengers with special requirements (they feature wheelchair access and a number of aids to assist the visually impaired).

RDM can manufacture up to 200 of the so-called pods a year at its Coventry manufacturing site and this capability could grow if demand for the vehicle materialises.