SAE Gauges Public’s View of AV Technology

While only 6% of survey respondents had ridden in a self-driving car before, 82% already were enthusiastic about the technology and nearly 10% reported a higher level of enthusiasm after their ride.

Seventy-seven percent of those surveyed would seek out a ride in an autonomous car in the future, and 76% thought a self-driving-car experience would be similar to, or better than, a human-piloted one.

With 72% of participants saying after their ride that they see advanced driver-assistance systems-enabled cars have the same or similar capabilities as self-driving cars, 78% expect autonomous cars will be routinely transporting people on public roads by 2028.

Perception for liability is nearly split, with 46% believing primary liability for self-driving cars rests with the manufacturer; 43% responding with the owner/operator; and 6% saying the rider.

An overwhelming 92% of respondents said a rider’s ability to activate an emergency stop is a requirement in an AV. But only 50% of people said if the emergency stop was activated the car should identify the closest area out of traffic and stop there, while 32% said the car should immediately stop in place and 10% said the car cannot resume driving until given authorization.

Riders also want to easily identity autonomous cars on public roads, with 63% of respondents preferring a lighted car on the vehicle exterior; 36% favoring an in-vehicle display; and 16% wanting text displayed on the vehicle exterior.

Asked what they thought the greatest benefit of AVs would be, 37% of respondents said eliminating or reducing deaths due to accidents; 31% said increasing mobility for the elderly (below) and those with disabilities; and 12% said reducing travel times or commutes.