Most Global Consumers are Intrigued by the Idea of Self-Driving Cars

The FINANCIAL — As tech companies continue developing self-driving cars, Ipsos, on behalf of Global @dvisor, has completed a study on public perception of the new car technology.

On the whole, the world seems curious, but hesitant, about the idea of self-driving cars. Fifty-eight percent of global respondents responded to the poll saying they were unsure, but intrigued by the idea of self-driving cars. Comparatively, just 13% said they would never use them and 30% are excited to use the cars and can’t wait to do so. Indian (49%), Malaysian (48%), and Chinese (46%) respondents were most likely to answer that they are excited to use self-driving cars. Meanwhile, German (31%), French (25%), American (24%), English (24%), and Canadian (24%) respondents were most likely to answer that they would never use a self-driving car, according to Ipsos.

Global respondents saw many uses for self-driving cars in cutting down on mundane driving activities. When asked how often they would use self-driving car features for various driving activities, the top responses were parking (58%), commuting (53%), and driving on the highway (53%). When it came to driving situations that required more human adaptability, respondents answered that they would use self-driving car features less often, comparatively. The lowest rate of responses saying they would frequently or always use a self-driving feature were for tasks such as driving in bad weather (40%) or driving in unfamiliar places (43%). The greatest perceived benefits to self-driving cars were all related to making driving a more luxurious experience. The world’s respondents believe self-driving cars will make driving easier (69%), more comfortable (68%), and more relaxing (64%).

As an unprecedented technology, much of the conversation surrounding self-driving cars has centered on regulation. When asked what kind of groups global consumers most trust to write proper self-driving car regulation, the plurality of respondents answered that they most trusted those who manufactured the cars (43%). The government was the second most trusted institution with 28% of respondents answering that they trusted the government the most on the issue.