The vast majority of consumers (three in four) are excited about the many benefits driverless vehicles can offer, and almost two-thirds want to swap their current cars for completely self-driving vehicles – a direct contrast to other surveys that indicate consumer hesitancy toward the adoption of self-driving cars – according to research released today from the Consumer Technology Association (CTA)™.
The report, Self-Driving Vehicles: Consumer Sentiments, also finds almost all drivers (93 percent) who use existing driver-assist features such as parking assist, adaptive cruise control and collision avoidance appreciate the usefulness of these driving technology innovations.
According to the CTA research, the popularity of driver-assist technology already available to consumers is sky-high. Almost all consumers (96 percent) like or love automatic parking-assist capabilities, and 94 percent feel the same about collision avoidance systems. Perhaps most indicative of this sector's potential, half of all non-users want to upgrade to driver-assist technologies. Additionally, data alert systems enjoy immense consumer support – 97 percent of consumers are satisfied with their navigation assistance technology, and 94 percent like or love car maintenance alerts.
The CTA study also shows four in five consumers recognize the potential benefits driverless technology can offer. Consumers are most excited about self-driving technology’s ability to:
• Reduce accidents caused by aggressive driving or driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol (82 percent)
• Provide monetary savings on car insurance (80 percent)
• Prevent up to 90 percent of driving-related accidents and injuries on U.S. roads (79 percent)
• Offer new mobility options to people with disabilities (78 percent)
In addition to the 62 percent of consumers who are interested in replacing their current cars or trucks with completely self-driving vehicles, CTA research finds 70 percent of consumers have a strong interest in testing a driverless car for themselves. This enthusiasm indicates a much higher level of consumer interest in driverless innovation than previous studies. A University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute study in May said about two-thirds of drivers were concerned about riding in completely self-driving vehicles, and a recent Kelley Blue Book poll said 51 percent of drivers want to have full control of their vehicles even if self-driving cars make our roads safer.