Self-Driving and Scalextric at UMP Parliamentary Reception
Thanks to law firm Shoosmiths, our 2025 Self-Driving Industry Award Legal category winner, for introducing us to the Urban Mobility Partnership (UMP).
Dedicated to “Improving lives by transforming travel”, UMP was established to represent all key modes of transport in the debate around the future of urban mobility. As well as Shoosmiths, other notable members include Stagecoach, Dott, Mott MacDonald and Brompton.
At their annual Parliamentary Reception in December, Fabian Hamilton MP, Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Cycling and Walking, praised UMP for bringing together a unique mix of national, regional and local policymakers, alongside colleagues from the private and third sectors. “UMP has shown what good Public Private Partnership (PPP) looks like,” he said.
Self-driving presence
We’re pleased to report there was a strong self-driving presence, with representatives from UK leaders Transport for West Midlands (TFWM), Awards partner Intelligent Transport Systems UK (ITS UK), kerbside software specialist Appyway, and commercial robotaxi pioneer Waymo.
The star attraction, though, was a Scalextric track with Stagecoach bus and Brompton bike models by the man who built the Millennium Falcon.
In their new “Automation: Progress with caveats” report, Shoosmiths partners Jonathan Smart, James Needham and Wayne Gibbard predict that: “Automation will continue to drive change across mobility, logistics and manufacturing this year.
“London is at the centre of the shift to autonomous driving, with robo-taxi trials from innovators like Waymo and Wayve already on city streets. For now, these vehicles still have supervisors on board, but the ambition is clear: fully autonomous taxis by the end of 2026.
“In logistics, self-driving lorries are set to become a core part of supply chains, working alongside electrified fleets and direct-to-consumer delivery models.”
UMP members will be at the forefront as UK rollout accelerates.
