According to reports this week, driverless taxis will be rolling out on London’s roads from next year.
Yep, the future is finally here — no human behind the wheel, no small talk, no awkward silences or faking phone calls (just us?).
Don’t get us wrong, we love technology at Road Angel. It’s what we do.
But even we can admit there’s something special about the Great British cabbie — that mix of dry wit, local knowledge and lightning-fast opinions that no AI will ever quite match.
You know the moment: you slide into the back seat and before you’ve even shut the door, you can't help yourself; “Been busy, mate?”
It’s our unofficial national greeting, usually followed by a chat about traffic, football, politics or the weather — sometimes all four. It’s human, unpredictable, and part of what makes British roads so brilliantly British.
And let’s be honest, there are a few classics you’ll never hear in a driverless taxi.
“You’ll never guess who I had in here yesterday…”
“It’s all the roadworks, mate — that’s what’s done it.”
Or our personal favourite: “Yeah, Waze says go that way — but I’m not touching it, mate. Can’t. Against the law.”
You can’t code that kind of personality!
Of course, the future of driving is exciting — autonomous cars, connected roads, smarter sensors — we’re all for it. But technology should enhance the journey, not erase it. The best drives aren’t just about getting from A to B, they’re about the stories, the interactions, the awareness that comes from a real person behind the wheel.
At Road Angel, we build tech that helps drivers do their jobs better, safer and smarter — not replace them. Because while the robots might be learning the routes, they’ll never master the banter.
So here’s to the cabbies — the unsung heroes of Britain’s roads. When the driverless era finally arrives, we’ll be the first to welcome it… but we’ll still wonder; “Been busy, mate?”
