Just 13% of Americans would trust a self-driving vehicle, according to a new study from AAA.
Believe it or not, that’s good news for the companies trying to convince Americans to try autonomous vehicles. Last year, the same survey found just 9% willing to trust one.
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Americans were more likely to trust self-driving technology in the past, AAA says. Fully 15% of respondents had said they would trust an autonomous car as recently as 2022. However, trust in the systems has decreased since then.
AAA surveyed 888 American adults, giving its survey a 4.4% margin of error. The panel was selected to resemble “sample coverage of approximately 97% of the U.S. household population.”
There are no true self-driving cars for sale in America today. However, several companies have pilot programs allowing Americans to ride in autonomous taxis around limited sections of certain cities.
Most Won’t Ride in a Robotaxi
AAA reports, “74% of drivers were aware of Robotaxis, yet 53% said they would not choose to ride in one. Different demographics have varying opinions. Millennial and Generation X drivers are more likely to say they would ride in one than Baby Boomer drivers, but even among younger drivers, most say they wouldn’t ride in a Robotaxi.”
Some cars Americans can buy for themselves have limited, partially autonomous capabilities. These are often misleadingly named. Names like Tesla’s “Full Self-Driving (Supervised)” might suggest that the cars can pilot themselves. However, Tesla’s system, like Ford’s BlueCruise or GM’s Super Cruise, requires a driver ready to intervene at all times.
Related: Ford Tops Hands-Free Driving Tests
Only one system sold anywhere in the U.S. allows drivers to look away from the road legally. Mercedes-Benz sells its Drive Pilot system in Nevada and parts of California. It allows drivers to legally look away from the road while the system is engaged, but only under 45 mph.
What do Americans want automakers to work on, if not self-driving tech? Safety systems, AAA says. “78% prioritize advancements in safety systems as a top vehicle technology initiative.”
Styling mattered to just 24% of respondents in the survey. Self-driving tech is growing less popular, the researchers say.
“Only 13% of drivers consider this a priority, a decrease from 18% in 2022.”