Community attitudes towards partially-automated vehicles

This market research was conducted in Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland. Research participants included people with varying levels of CAV knowledge and experience, ranging from those with no awareness or experience through to CAV experts.

This research found 84 per cent of people were very keen to have partial automation features in their next vehicle. At the same time, 9 per cent of people were hesitant to change and 7 per cent were neutral. Across these groups there was no significant difference between gender or age.

Among the group that identified as ‘very hesitant’, five key barriers to adoptions emerged.

  • Fear of new technology - Many do not trust a computer to be better than a human
  • Potential impact on driving skills and behaviours - Fear of irreversible social change, decrease or loss in driving skills
  • Overconfidence in one’s ability - Feel there is no current need to use driver-assistance due to trust in own ability
  • The enjoyment of driving - Driving is more than just getting from ‘A’ to ‘B’
  • Price/value - Want to buy most affordable car available, not interested in frills or special features

Research participants had varying levels of CAV knowledge and experience

Without automation

Drivers who do not have any automation features in their vehicle or the automation features they have are particularly old technology such as Level 0 automation (e.g. standard cruise control as opposed to adaptive cruise control).

Unaware

Drivers who may have some newer automation features in their vehicle (i.e. Level 1 or 2) but are unaware of what these are and/or do not use them (e.g. adaptive cruise control, active parking assist).

Aware

Drivers who may have some newer automation features in their vehicle (i.e. Level 1 or Level 2) but are aware of what these are and/or use them to a limited degree (only use some of the features they have or at limited times).

Advanced

Drivers who may have advanced automation features in their vehicle (i.e. Level 1 or Level 2), are aware of what these are and/or use them regularly.

Expert

Drivers, enthusiasts and industry advisers who have exposure to higher levels of automation and knowledge of autonomous vehicles (i.e. Levels 3, 4 & 5), even though they may not be driving them themselves