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As Uber gears up to unleash its futuristic driverless taxis in London by 2026, Jamaicans are already picturing what it would be like to hop into a ride with no driver, just pure tech behind the wheel.

For 68-year-old Vera Johnson, she's ready to jump in.

"Mi woulda try it out yes, because mi tek di Uber dem when mi deh a foreign. Suh mi woulda tek one widout the driver and see if all when mi reach mi bus stop, it stop there," Johnson told THE WEEKEND STAR. The England capital is set to begin trials of self-driving Ubers next spring through a partnership between the ride-hailing giant and UK-based tech firm Wayve. More autonomous vehicles are expected when the UK's Automated Vehicles Act comes into effect in late 2027, a legislation that could bring PS42 billion to the economy, create 38,000 jobs, and improve road safety, according to the UK Department for Transport.

The concept of cars without drivers may be hard for many to imagine, but not Johnson. She is confident the technology could eventually navigate even Jamaica's tricky terrain.

"From yuh programme it fi use the tracker, it will dweet," she said. "Mi wouldn't 'fraid fi in a di car by myself, 'cause nuh body wouldn't a squeeze mi up or nothing." However, despite her optimism, some are more sceptical.

Asked if she thinks a driverless car could handle Jamaica's rural and bad roads, Johnson responded without hesitation.

"Yes man! Same way wi phone smart and know how fi duh things we never even expect, di car aguh smart and know how to," she replied.

Jhaneil Powell, a fourth-year nursing student at The University of the West Indies (UWI), told THE WEEKEND STAR that she doesn't think driverless taxis could handle the unpredictable nature of Jamaican roads.

"And there are routes that the taxi drivers know to avoid traffic," she explained. "In a driverless Uber, you're going to be in traffic for a very long time. Also, when you think about how some taxi drivers drive, I don't think a driverless car will be able to navigate that."

For Jada Clarke, the thought of hopping into a driverless taxi brings mixed feelings.

"Maybe I would take it if I am going a short distance, like from here (UWI) to Half-Way Tree," she said at first. But after a few moments, the fourth-year nursing student reconsidered.

"You know, even Half-Way Tree is too far, and when I think about the condition of our roads, I really don't think a driverless car could manage it. So I would only take it to a short distance on very smooth road," she said, laughing.

Still, taxi owner Sassania Greaves believes the technology could offer added safety for female passengers.

"A whole heap a woman a get tek weh, and if there is no driver in the car, there is nobody to take you away, so it aguh safer," she said, adding that the concept could reduce reports of harassment and assault by drivers, which are concerns for many women using public or app-based transportation.

However, for some in the transport industry, the arrival of driverless cars could mean disruption or worse - lost income. Omar Brown, a taxi driver for the past two years, said Jamaicans might not welcome the technology, especially those who make a living from traditional taxi services.

"Mi nuh think Jamaican taxi man a guh love that, because nuff people's hustle a dem car. And if yuh have a driverless car, taxi man dem a guh mek less money," he said.

Beyond the economic fears, Brown believes there is no substitute for good, old-fashioned driver instincts.

"Dem a guh always tek the right route, dem nah guh cut out the traffic. Suh it nuh sound like it woulda work here to me, 'cause people aguh be sitting in traffic fi long, when a driver know the likkle short cut dem and gone," he said.