Authors:
Ilias Panagiotopoulos
1
;
George Dimitrakopoulos
1
;
Gabrielė Keraitė
2
and
Urte Steikuniene
2
Affiliations:
1
Department of Informatics and Telematics, Harokopio University, Athens, Greece
;
2
Metis Baltic, Vilnus, Lithuania
Keyword(s):
Highly Automated Passenger Vehicles, Consumer’s Intention to Adopt, Technology Acceptance, Perceived Driving Enjoyment, Perceived Financial Cost, Perceived Reliability/Trust.
Abstract:
Automated vehicles are currently being developed by major car manufacturers planning to be available in market diffusion the next years. This disruptive technology is expected to provide an alternative type of transportation services by positively affecting road safety, traffic congestion, more individual comfort and convenience for drivers/users. However, besides the aforementioned societal benefits, researches on the predictors influencing individuals’ attitudes and willingness to adopt automated vehicles in the future are crucial requirements for their successful diffusion in international market. In this way, the current study aims to investigate the factors that may hinder or facilitate consumers’ acceptance and adoption of Highly Automated Passenger Vehicles (HAPVs). A research model through extending the original Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) was developed and accordingly an online survey was conducted among the general public in Europe; 811 valid
answers were collected and analyzed. The results indicate that the constructs of perceived driving enjoyment, perceived financial cost, perceived reliability/trust, social influence and performance expectancy were all useful predictors of behavioural intentions to drive/use HAPVs. The findings derived from this study will contribute to car manufacturers towards HAPVs in order not only to develop better driving automation technology systems for them, but also to develop proper implementation strategies that will lead to widespread deployment in international market.
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