An electric, driverless shuttle bus is taking to Dutch public roads for the first time today. 

The event will involve taxiing six passengers along a 655ft (200 metre) stretch of road in the first trial of its kind worldwide.

The WEpod, one of a fleet to be rolled out in coming years, will ride back and forth in the central Dutch town of Wageningen.

The WEpod is a self-propelled vehicle without control and without pedals. 

It runs completely automatically on electricity and inside the shuttle is a six-seater cab with automatic doors and a ramp for wheelchair use. 

The pod's maximum speed is 25mph (40km/h) but when driving on roads its speed will be restricted to 15.5mph (25km/h).

Computerworld