The problem with humans: why we are the biggest roadblock to fully autonomous driving

Terence Broderick

A car surrounded by colorful, concentric wave patterns representing sensors or radar signals in a digital, high-tech style.

The pods are coming. While we already have the technology to enable fully autonomous driving and various trials are well underway, the key question to answer is: when will we reach this promised land?

With many technological roadblocks in the way and hundreds of billions of driving miles needed to gather sufficient data to prove the safety of autonomous vehicles, fully autonomous vehicles being commonplace on our roads is still some way off.

However, one problem looms large over all others — us. If humans were removed from the equation, fully autonomous driving would be far safer, as every interaction on the roads would be managed by software. Instead, autonomous vehicles must learn to deal with the unpredictability of human behaviour.

In the latest Autovista24 podcast, our AI and autonomous vehicle expert Terence Broderick provides an eye-opening update on the state of fully autonomous driving.

Listen to find out why:

  • Milton Keynes is at the centre of UK autonomous driving
  • Chinese robotaxi trials are leading the way
  • A lack of human intuition is holding autonomous vehicles back
  • Cybersecurity is critical to protect both networks and individuals
  • Building public trust means overcoming significant technological obstacles
  • Public transport and personal mobility ‘pods’ could drive the revolution

Listen to the podcast here.

If you’re innovating in autonomous driving, get in touch with Terence at [email protected] to find out whether your technology could be eligible for patent protection.


The Financial Times logo featuring large "FT" initials above the words "FINANCIAL TIMES" on a beige background.
"IP STARS logo with text in dark blue and yellow, featuring a star symbol within the text, set against a plain background."
The word Legado500 in a large, elegant serif font with black lettering on a transparent background.
The IAM 300 logo features bold red and black text with a stylised red graphic element on a white background.
Three red rounded bars on the left and a large red M on the right against a black background.
A certificate with a grey background, displaying a score of 1000, awarded to Murgitroyd, recommended firm for 2025, featuring the IAM logo and bold text.
WTR 1000 logo in various shades of blue, gold, and black, with a geometric design and text on a transparent background.
The image displays the Lexology Client and Industry News logo with a pattern of dark circles and the words "LEXOLOGY" and "INDUSTRY NEWS".
A round badge with a white interior and gold border, featuring a gold eagle emblem, Chinese characters on a red ribbon, and the text "2024" at the bottom.
Logo of DéCIDEURS MAGAZINE featuring three shooting stars inside a circle and the magazine name in bold black and red text.
WIPR 2024 logo highlighting Diversity, with the tagline "Influential Woman in IP" on a teal background.
The Legal Benchmarking Social Impact Awards 2024 logo features a purple circle with "LBG" and bold black text to the right.
A colourful four-petal flower logo with a dark circle in the centre, accompanied by the text "IP INCLUSIVE" and the tagline "Working for diversity and inclusion in IP".
A colourful abstract logo with interconnected circles and the text "ADAPT.legal" underneath, set against a dark grey background.
European Patent Pipeline Program logo with the acronym "EPPP" in large pink letters above the full name in smaller dark blue text.
LSA logo with green text and leaf design, accompanied by black text reading "Legal Sustainability Alliance" and "Member | 2024".
A close-up of a cybersecurity badge featuring a blue background, green check mark, and the words "Cyber Essentials Certified."
A Cyber Essentials Plus logo featuring a blue and green circular emblem with a tick mark, accompanied by the text "CYBER ESSENTIALS PLUS".
The logo features the word "oveda" with a stylised, multicoloured swoosh design and the slogan “Invested in a better future” underneath.
Green and black logo featuring a stylised globe with wavy lines and the text "United Kingdom Best Managed Companies" beside it.
WIPO Rankings logo with "Highly Recommended Firm" and "UK Patents 2025" text in a mix of dark blue, light blue, and gold colours.