Who's faster around London: a taxi driver or a GPS?

Series Producer/Director: Kirsten Taylor
Assistant Producer: Han Evans
Camera Operators: Ciaran O’Brien, Bryn Williams
Runner/Driver: Hannah Fellbaum
Production Runner: Dominique Daeschner
Editor: Chris Leggat
Executive Producers: Cambria Bailey-Jones, Guy Larsen

[nfortescue]

I work as a Google engineer in London. I'm not sure if Tom would have been aware of the irony that when his GPS was stuck on re-routing he was literally outside the window of the Google engineering office in London.

[misterthegeoff]

"I'm required to follow all traffic laws" and "I'm allowed to drive like I normally would in London" sound like 2 mutually exclusive goals.

[TomtheTaxiDriver]

Had so much fun with you and the team Tom, thank you 🙏🏻

And for those wondering, yes the result really was as close as the edit makes out 😱

[PhilosophyVajda]

Legend has it, the founder of a Dutch company had a lucid dream in 1990 of two drivers named Tom, driving around London. In that dream real-time computer-generated directions were equivalent to the competence of a well-trained cab driver. That company was TomTom.

[ImARichard]

Today I learned that it takes more training to get your London taxi drivers license than it takes to become a police officer in the United States...Fantastic video, terrifying realization though.

[dbackscott]

I loved the difference in temperament between the two Toms. Taxi Tom was pleasant and relaxed, while Tom Scott was like: “We’re here. Get out.” 😂

[vonriel]

22:16 That cut killed me.
"I don't know how Tom does it for hours and hours!"
"Drive, drive, drive your car, gently down the road! Merrily, merrily, merrily, obey the highway code."

[buggibii]

Tom Scott's mission to collab with every other Tom on YouTube is a go.

[toblerone]

It was really interesting to see how cautious Tom (the taxi driver) was when the customer was leaving the cab, constantly checking his mirrors and blind spots for hazards while they reach the curb. Awesome stuff!

[hextree]

For those too lazy to watch till the end: Tom wins.

[meep]

‘He has a good understanding of London, through sheer osmosis’ 😂 I like this guy he’s so humble and funny

[jamesball]

I love how Tom inherits a cabbies disdain for other road users immediately upon getting into the cab.

[Elwaves]

It's poetic that a video involving one following a GPS has TomTom as the drivers.

[maddymaree]

Kirsten and Han were absolute joys in the episode, really hope they are both in more content!!!

[TheSeth]

While Team GPS lost, I think this is actually a testament to how good GPS is. A trained professional driver was barely able to win against it. I see so many people ignore GPS directions because they think they know better. But the GPS has so much data.

[Cimlite]

"Tom VS Tom" could easily be an entire show. This absolutely felt like it, more so than just a one off thing. The difference in attitudes between the two was perfect.

[narnigrin]

Tom #1: "It's not a race, it's not a race ... I wonder how Tom does this every day"
Tom #2: "Drive, drive, drive your cab gently down the road ... Merrily, merrily, merrily ... obey the highway code"

Best cut of this video, no contest xD

[nanoqht]

Scott trying to convince himself that it isn’t a competition, test or race is so delightful to watch.

[JessTK]

A big part of why Tom the Taxi Driver "won" is the extra time it takes for Tom to research where Einstein lived, etc. A cabbie knows even when the passenger doesn't quite know where they need to go.

[kristiandevil]

It would be interesting having a third Tom on a bike or using public transport, not having to deal with traffic jams