75% of Americans afraid to ride in autonomous vehicle

75% of Americans afraid to ride in autonomous vehicle

A new study from the American Automobile Association reminds us that consultantsê studies are one thing, but consumer acceptance is quite another. The survey reports that three out of four U.S. drivers feel –afraid” to ride in a self-driving car. AAA also found that drivers who own vehicles equipped with semi-autonomous features are more likely to trust the technology, suggesting that gradual experience with these advanced features can ease consumer fears.

–What Americans may not realize is that the building blocks towards self-driving cars are already in todayês vehicles and the technology is constantly improving and well-trusted by those who have experienced it,” said John Nielsen, AAAês managing director of automotive engineering and repair.

In fact, consumer demand for semi-autonomous vehicle technology is high. Nearly two-thirds of American drivers say they want one of these features on their next vehicle: automatic emergency braking; adaptive cruise control; self-parking technology, or lane-keeping assist. Their primary motivations are, in descending order, safety, convenience, reducing stress and wanting the latest technology. Baby boomers are more likely to cite safety as a reason; millennials are more likely to cite convenience and wanting the latest technology, and women are more likely to cite reducing stress.