ports

We’re about to launch into an exciting new stage of Darwin’s work with autonomous vehicles. Having demonstrated an autonomous shuttle for almost four years at Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, we’re ready to bring self-driving passenger services to ports across the UK and Europe, starting with the Port of Liverpool.

The 2025 British Ports Association annual lunch was held on 13 May at the London Guildhall, and we were delighted to be welcomed as representatives of Darwin. Daniela Petrovic, Darwin’s co-founder, and Harriet Evans, Darwin’s news blogger, took the opportunity to connect with people in the ports sector and explain the services that Darwin offers.

The Darwin Autonomous Shuttle service was originally launched in November 2021. For the last three and a half years, the little yellow shuttle has been a familiar sight at Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, making it the longest-running self-driving passenger service in the UK.

After driving itself around the campus for a total distance of almost 10,000 miles, the Darwin Autonomous Shuttle is now ready to begin serving other locations. On 20 May 2025, one of the two shuttles set off on its journey north to start a new life in Liverpool.