Members of the public are being given a glimpse into the future as a tech company trials its latest driverless vehicle around Greenwich in London for the next three weeks.

The driverless vehicle has been built by Oxbotica and it will seat four people and operate a shuttle service along a two-mile route near London’s O2 Arena in its first public trials.

Only 100 successful applicants will get to travel during the trial, though 5,000 people applied for the opportunity to do so.

It has no steering wheel or brake pedal but five cameras and three lasers will navigate the vehicle at speeds of up to 10mph along the riverside path used by pedestrians and cyclists, but there will also be a trained “driver” on board who can take control if need be.

Oxbotica chief executive Dr Graeme Smith said: “This needs to be like any other form of transportation. It shouldn’t be a white-knuckle ride for passengers.

“We know we’ve got the software right when the journeys are unremarkable.

“The vehicle will see up to 100 metres ahead and if it detects something that it thinks is in its path it will come to a nice graceful halt.”

He added: “Very few people have experienced an autonomous vehicle, so this is about letting people see one in person.

“We hope to gain acceptance from members of the public for vehicles sharing this kind of space with them.”

Oxbotica says paying passengers could begin using the system by 2019 on a trial basis and that it could eventually be rolled out elsewhere.

Industry Minister Nick Hurd said: “The UK has a history of innovation in the auto sector and this type of technology has the potential to save lives as well as offer freedom to the elderly or those with mobility impairments.”

Last week the Government announced plans for the first phase of its £100 million investment in testing infrastructure to develop autonomous driving technology.

And, anticipating the acceleration towards a world of driverless cars Adrian Flux already offers an innovative driverless car insurance policy.