After an eleven hour flight, I stepped out of Phoenix International Airport into the balmy Arizona heat. It felt like I had stepped into the future. Weaving in and out of lanes of regular taxis and airport shuttle busses, I saw a constant flow of white Jaguars adapted with roof mounted cameras and sensors, gliding past. I recognised them instantly as Waymo driverless cars. I could not wait to try them.

Once I’d been driven by a robot, I suddenly noticed how much worse almost every human driver was

Once I’d been driven by a robot, I suddenly noticed how much worse almost every human driver was

Over the last few weeks I’ve been flying in and out of different US cities to record a series of interviews for an upcoming documentary series. The trips have been busy and quick, with each airport and business hotel blurring into the next: Miami, Dallas, Vegas, Boston, Manchester.

But Phoenix offered me an exhilarating opportunity I will never forget – to be driven in completely autonomous cars, alone, with no driver present. I have always been fascinated by robots, seeking them out years ago on trips to Japan, and putting an early autonomous vacuum cleaner on my wedding list. Machines which in my childhood were science-fiction are now part of real life.

I tried the driverless cabs as often as as I could during my Phoenix trip, and can confidently say that from hereon, I will always opt for a robo-taxi over a human driver whenever I can. The experience was transformational. The superiority of the service was immediately apparent, and the experience sold itself to me better than any advert or PR could do. I wish I could take........

© The Spectator