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  "path": "/lifestyle/cars/self-driving-cars-blind-spot-research",
  "publishedAt": "2026-04-04T05:00:02.000Z",
  "site": "https://www.gbnews.com",
  "tags": [
    "Rachel Reeves unveils new car tax changes today as millions face higher rates in 'unwelcome' move",
    "Motorists to be slapped with £70 fines for poor parking under new rules",
    "Drivers could be forced to scrap cars as Rachel Reeves' tax hike makes vehicles 'worthless' overnight",
    "The GB News Editorial Charter"
  ],
  "textContent": "\n\n\nSelf-driving cars may not be fully prepared to deal with runners on the road, according to a new study, which warned of massive safety risks.\n\nResearchers found that runners were far more likely than walkers to take risks when crossing roads, something current automated vehicle systems may not properly account for.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nThe study, carried out by teams at the University of Glasgow and KAIST, used augmented reality technology to explore how runners behaved differently from pedestrians.\n\nTheir findings showed runners were less likely to slow down or stop at crossings and may even run in front of approaching vehicles to maintain their pace, leading to runners being struck by virtual cars in simulated scenarios.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nTRENDING\n\nStories\n\nVideos\n\nYour Say\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nProfessor Stephen Brewster, of the University of Glasgow's School of Computing Science, said: \"We realised that there's been very little research into how runners might expect to interact with driverless cars. That's surprising on a couple of levels.\"\n\nHe warned that it will be increasingly important to ensure that runners and automated vehicles \"can share the roads safely in the years to come\".\n\nTo carry out the research, 24 participants were asked to walk or run towards a junction while wearing augmented reality headsets, which displayed a life-sized virtual car approaching them.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nThe simulated vehicles were programmed to sometimes stop and sometimes continue through the junction. In some cases, they were fitted with special external displays designed to communicate their intentions to pedestrians.\n\nThese displays, known as \"external human-machine interfaces\", used lights to signal to pedestrians whether it was safe to cross.\n\nOne design, called a \"LightRing\", used simple red and green lights, while another, known as \"CyanBand\", used moving light patterns to show whether the car slowed down or sped up.\n\nBoth walkers and runners detailed how the displays helped them understand what the vehicle was going to do. However, their behaviour still differed significantly.\n\n### LATEST DEVELOPMENTS\n\n\n\n\n  * Rachel Reeves unveils new car tax changes today as millions face higher rates in 'unwelcome' move\n  * Motorists to be slapped with £70 fines for poor parking under new rules\n  * Drivers could be forced to scrap cars as Rachel Reeves' tax hike makes vehicles 'worthless' overnight\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nThe study also found that runners struggled to process more complex signals, such as the moving lights used in the CyanBand system. During the tests, runners collided with the virtual vehicle three times, while walkers were able to avoid all contact.\n\nResearcher Ammar Al-Taie, one of the study's authors, said: \"I'm a runner myself, and I've noticed that crossing roads while running feels different from when I'm walking.\n\n\"I'm much more motivated to keep moving because slowing to let a car pass and accelerating again takes a real physical effort.\"\n\nThe study also aims to improve safety systems in driverless cars, particularly by designing clearer and faster ways for vehicles to better communicate with people on the road.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nThe Automated Vehicles Act was passed through Parliament in 2024, with the Government hoping to launch self-driving vehicles in the UK later this year.\n\nEarlier this year, Waymo, the American autonomous vehicle company owned by Alphabet, revealed its intention to begin operating a fully driverless taxi service in the capital as soon as September 2026.\n\nGraham Conway, managing director at Select Car Leasing, said: \"While there's clear excitement in the industry about what driverless taxis can offer, it's clear that firms like Waymo have some way to go before they win the hearts and minds of users.\n\n\"For any firm operating a driverless taxi, they'll need to prove how effective - and safe - the system can be before trust is truly earned here in the UK.\"\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n**Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter**",
  "title": "Self-driving cars risk blind spot for vulnerable road users as tech unprepared for fast-moving runners"
}