Driverless bus coming to London Olympic Park in autonomous vehicle test

Zip round the Olympic Park at a speed of, err, 5mph

London's 2012 Olympic Park will be showcasing a driverless bus over the next few weeks - but it won't be going any faster than walking pace.

The Park, in a regeneration zone in East London, will enable passengers to just turn up and get on one of the small busses and travel around the site of of the 2012 Olympics, albeit it at the stately speed of just 5mph, according to the Evening Standard.

The busses have their speed capped at 5mph while in operation at the Olympic Park, but are capable of travelling the streets at the relative high speed of 30mph when they are allowed to.

They are Navya autonomous vehicles and they are supplied by a firm called Keolis.

V3 has contacted the company for confirmation of the plans and further comment.

The firm did have the time for a chat with the London Evening Standard, but what it said amounted to little more than excited self-promotion.

Alistair Gordon, CEO of Keolis UK, said: "It feels like gliding around the park. It starts, stops and the doors open — you wouldn't know there was no driver in this vehicle."

You probably would because no one would have been surly to you when you got on. If you fancy the ride then just pop up to the Olympic Park before the urban wildlife takes over, and take the 12-minute bus ride with as many as 14 other like-minded souls.

One such person told the London Evening Standard that it felt like the best way to try out autonomous vehicles, explaining: "It felt safe and I'd rather try it here than on the open road."

It ought to feel safe. At 5mph it's barely travelling faster than walking pace.