Listening

Warm Up

Helpful Words and Phrases

Listen and repeat.

  1. autonomous
    • ex. The company is developing autonomous cars that can drive without a human driver.
  2. oversee
    • ex. His job is to oversee the staff and make sure everything runs smoothly.
  3. cautiously
    • ex. The driver cautiously drove through the narrow road.
  4. an operator
    • ex. The airport operator manages the airport and makes sure it runs smoothly.
  5. complicated
    • ex. Planning the trip became complicated because of the weather.

Article

Read the article below and answer your tutor's questions.

Font size

Uber and British technology company Wayve launched London’s first self-driving taxi service in September, with fewer than 20 electric Ford Mustang Mach-E cars. The cars use Wayve’s autonomous technology, but a person still sits in the driver’s seat to oversee the trip and take control if needed.

The service is starting cautiously because the U.K. has stricter rules for self-driving taxis than the United States and China. Companies and self-driving taxi operators like Uber and Wayve need government approval before they can operate without a safety driver. London also has narrow, busy roads with many cars, buses, bicycles, and electric bikes. These complicated roads can be difficult for self-driving cars to handle.

Uber customers cannot ask for a self-driving car directly. However, customers are offered a Wayve car when they request a ride through the Uber app and can accept or reject it. The price is the same as a regular Uber ride, but passengers are not asked to give a tip. Other companies, including Waymo and Baidu, are also preparing to offer self-driving taxi services in London.

This material was based on an article by The Associated Press.

Photo Credits: The Associated Press

Discussion

Choose a topic and discuss the questions with your tutor.

Self-driving Cars

  • If given the chance, would you ride a self-driving car? Why or why not? Discuss.
  • In what situation are self-driving cars most useful (ex. for long-distance trips, when the driver is not familiar with the road)? Discuss.
  • What concerns do you have about riding in a self-driving car? Discuss.

Impact of Self-driving Services on Taxi Drivers, Customers, and Businesses

  • How could the growth of self-driving taxis affect taxi drivers? Discuss.
  • As a customer, which would you prefer: a taxi with a human driver, or a self-driving taxi? Discuss.
  • How could self-driving taxis change competition between taxi companies? Discuss.