Most Americans Still Fear Robotaxis Despite Tech Advances: AAA Study
Why Most Americans Remain Cautious About Robotaxis: Insights from AAA's Latest Study
Most Americans Still Fear Robotaxis Despite Tech Advances: AAA Study
A recent AAA study reveals that 61% of Americans still fear robotaxis, with trust rising slightly to 13%. Discover the reasons behind this hesitation and what it means for autonomous vehicles.
2025-02-25T22:33:28Z
2025-02-25T22:33:28Z
2025-02-26T05:16:34Z
News, Technology
Despite the rapid advancement of autonomous driving technologies, most Americans still view robotaxis with caution. According to a recent study by the American Automobile Association (AAA), trust in these vehicles has increased from 9% to 13% compared to last year, yet 61% of respondents still fear them. Another 26% expressed uncertainty about their willingness to rely on self-driving cars.
Notably, overall enthusiasm for this technology has declined: last year, 18% of respondents viewed robotaxis positively, but this figure has now dropped to 13%. Meanwhile, a significant majority—78% of survey participants—believe that automakers should focus on improving existing safety systems, such as automatic emergency braking (AEB) and lane-keeping assistance, rather than developing fully autonomous vehicles.
This cautious attitude may stem from several factors. First, accidents involving autonomous vehicles often receive extensive media coverage, amplifying public concerns. Second, many people are wary of technologies that remove human control from the equation. Additionally, the issue of legal liability in the event of a robotaxi accident remains unresolved, raising doubts among potential users.
Although the development of autonomous transportation is progressing at an impressive pace, the study's findings suggest that significant psychological and social barriers must be overcome for these technologies to gain widespread acceptance. For now, most Americans prefer conventional vehicles and proven driver-assistance systems. However, as robotaxis become more reliable and safer over time, public perception may gradually shift.
Source: insideevs.com
robotaxis, AAA study, autonomous vehicles, American attitudes, self-driving cars, public perception, vehicle safety, autonomous driving technology, robotaxi fears, autonomous transportation
2025
Mark Havelin
News
en-US
News
Why Most Americans Remain Cautious About Robotaxis: Insights from AAA's Latest Study
A recent AAA study reveals that 61% of Americans still fear robotaxis, with trust rising slightly to 13%. Discover the reasons behind this hesitation and what it means for autonomous vehicles.
Despite the rapid advancement of autonomous driving technologies, most Americans still view robotaxis with caution. According to a recent study by the American Automobile Association (AAA), trust in these vehicles has increased from 9% to 13% compared to last year, yet 61% of respondents still fear them. Another 26% expressed uncertainty about their willingness to rely on self-driving cars.
Notably, overall enthusiasm for this technology has declined: last year, 18% of respondents viewed robotaxis positively, but this figure has now dropped to 13%. Meanwhile, a significant majority—78% of survey participants—believe that automakers should focus on improving existing safety systems, such as automatic emergency braking (AEB) and lane-keeping assistance, rather than developing fully autonomous vehicles.
This cautious attitude may stem from several factors. First, accidents involving autonomous vehicles often receive extensive media coverage, amplifying public concerns. Second, many people are wary of technologies that remove human control from the equation. Additionally, the issue of legal liability in the event of a robotaxi accident remains unresolved, raising doubts among potential users.
Although the development of autonomous transportation is progressing at an impressive pace, the study's findings suggest that significant psychological and social barriers must be overcome for these technologies to gain widespread acceptance. For now, most Americans prefer conventional vehicles and proven driver-assistance systems. However, as robotaxis become more reliable and safer over time, public perception may gradually shift.
