Britain’s first driverless cars will be revealed today as scientists prepare to start full public trials of the technology in the UK.

Two-person “pods” will run on pedestrianised areas in Milton Keynes as part of a £19 million scheme to develop autonomous vehicles. The electric cars, capable of speeds of 15mph, will be designed to travel between the station and a shopping centre.

Three vehicles will be shown today before being taken to the University of Oxford’s mobile robotics group to be fitted with autonomous sensors. Full trials will begin in Milton Keynes within a month.

Others will take place in Greenwich and Bristol.

Andrew Jones, the roads minister, hailed the trial as a key milestone. “Driverless cars will benefit our society, the economy and road safety which is why we are investing millions into research and trials,” he told The Times.

The development is being led by the Transport Systems Catapult, a government-backed research centre.