The Scottish Parliament's think-tank

Scotland 2030: Autonomous Vehicles

Waymo vehiclePic Waymo car, Waymo website

Are autonomous vehicles the future? How well developed are they already, what is likely to happen next, and how can Scotland exploit the opportunities they present?

Scotland’s Futures Forum was delighted to work with Ivan McKee MSP and various partners including Jacobs to explore the potential presented by the development of autonomous vehicles and the changes they may bring to our communities in the future.

Two seminars in 2018, in the Scottish Parliament and in Glasgow, saw panels of experts discuss the future of self-driving cars and the potential provided by autonomous transport, along with the opportunities for Scotland to make the most of this transformative technology.


Opportunities for Scotland

Thursday 21 June 2018, at the Scottish Parliament

Panel discussion chaired by Gail Ross MSP, Deputy Convener of the Rural Economy and Connectivity Committee:

  • Industry experts Sarah McCartney and Kate Carpenter from Jacobs Ltd
  • Iain Forbes, Head of the UK Government Connected and Autonomous Vehicles Centre
  • Andrew Davidson, National Operations Manager, Transport Scotland

Read the report here


Opportunities for Glasgow

Wednesday 4 July 2018, at Glasgow City Chambers

Keynote speaker: Ivan McKee MSP, Minister for Trade, Investment and Innovation

Presentation from Stuart Gibb from Jacobs and panel discussion chaired by Councillor Jen Layden, Glasgow City Council:

  • Stuart Patrick, chief executive of Glasgow Chamber of Commerce
  • Christine Francis, digital infrastructure manager at Glasgow City Council
  • Simon Andrews, executive director of Fraunhofer UK
  • Andrew Davidson, national operations manager at Transport Scotland
  • Alan McLarney, chief innovation officer at Envisage Space Ltd

Read the report here


Debate in Parliament

The Scottish Parliament debated the issue on 15 March 2018, introduced by a speech from Ivan. You can read the written transcript of the debate or watch the video below:


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