The UK government is funding seven autonomous vehicle projects, including the world’s first full-sized, self-driving bus.

A sum of £81 million, of which £42 million is supplied by the government, has been made available to British companies to develop experimental projects focusing on commercial and freight vehicles.

The government said that the funding, which has been matched by industry support, will enable the industry to grow and provide jobs for the British economy.

The automated bus, which will run along a 14 mile route in Edinburgh, builds on a previous pilot project. The bus will run without staff on board as soon as spring 2023.

Other projects which were awarded a share of the grant include self-driving HGVs in Sunderland, self-driving taxis in Cambridgeshire and a self-driving shuttle service around Belfast harbour.

Almost £600,000 is also being awarded for feasibility studies, looking into how self-driving technology could improve public transport in parts of the UK.

Commenting on the news transport secretary Mark Harper said: “Self-driving vehicles including buses will positively transform people’s everyday lives – making it easier to get around, access vital services and improve regional connectivity.”

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