What drives the acceptance of autonomous driving? An investigation of acceptance factors from an end-user's perspective

Abstract

Autonomous driving offers significant societal benefits, including improved road safety and reduced environmental impacts, yet widespread adoption remains hindered by psychological barriers. Individual acceptance of level 5 automation is determined through an exploratory sequential mixed methods design that identifies key psychological and technical drivers. Qualitative analysis of semi-structured interviews isolates primary acceptance criteria, which serve as the basis for an expanded Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) validated through an online survey of 316 participants. Results demonstrate that behavioral intention is primarily driven by user attitudes, which are shaped by perceived usefulness and ease of use. Key determinants of these perceptions include social influence, system characteristics—such as relative advantage, compatibility, and price evaluation—and individual factors like trust and personal innovativeness. Trust exhibits a direct positive correlation with usage intention, while personal innovativeness significantly influences the perceived utility and effortlessness of the technology. Furthermore, perceived enjoyment and the alignment of autonomous vehicles with existing mobility patterns are critical to fostering favorable user attitudes. These findings establish a comprehensive framework for understanding end-user perceptions, offering guidance for practitioners and policymakers aiming to accelerate the diffusion of autonomous mobility. – AI-generated abstract.