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Of the drivers even more suspicious to the passengers experts in technology: in the representative online survey “The Pulse of the Driving Autonomous”, Audi has developed a typology of the user of this new technology. In the framework of the initiative “&Audi”, the brand with the four rings, in collaboration with the institute of market research Ipsos, has interviewed 21,000 people in nine countries in three continents . The study reveals that the users who show more in favor of driving autonomously are young people, those with a high purchasing power, “creators of trends” and the more tech-savvy. Among the drivers who show distrust are older people and users with a low level of income or a bottom forming. The most reticent only be used by the driving autonomous when others have already gained experience with this technology. The largest group of users are the so-called “co-pilots of open-mindedness” that, in general, are in favor of conducting autonomous, as long as they can intervene themselves in control of the vehicle at any time.

“This study brings added value to our knowledge about the phenomenon of driving autonomously,” explains Dr. Luciano Floridi , professor of Philosophy and Ethics of Information and director of the Laboratory of Ethics Digital of the University of Oxford, one of the members of the scientific network of the initiative “&Audi”. “It is a necessary step for any political decision and legislative, as well as for any R & D strategy and business intend to be proactive and informed to make a better world”.

From 2015 Audi examines the social acceptance of driving autonomously. In this study, the initiative investigates how the rational arguments, the emotions, the values and styles of life make up the attitudes towards this new technology . The result is a triad, which consists in an emotional landscape, an index of human and a typology of user.

Curiosity, but also concern

The emotional landscape on the conduct autonomous produces a heterogeneous panorama . On the one hand, at the international level there is a strong interest (82%) and curiosity (62%). In the new technology respondents see potential for the users and the society: from an easier access to mobility (76%) and convenience (72%), until a better security (59%). More than half of the respondents would like to test-drive autonomous.

on the other hand, there are also concerns, especially the fear of loss of control (70%) and the residual risks unavoidable (66%). 41% of respondents are wary of the technology, and around a third (38%) show much interest. The greater willingness to cede control is shown to situations such as the parking and automated traffic jams circulating on the motorway. The level of knowledge about driving autonomous is low: only 8% say they can explain how it works.

Enthusiasm among young people and people of high purchasing power

The index of human (HRI) provides information about the way in which attitudes towards driving autonomous relate with the socio . The results show that the younger are the respondents and the higher their level of education and income, the more positive is their attitude towards driving autonomously. The differences are also evident between the countries in which the study was performed. The chinese users (HRI +5,1) show great enthusiasm, and the south koreans (HRI +1,2) also are above average in their positive view of the technology.

In Europe, the spaniards and italians lead the field (both HRI +0,7). The germans and the French exhibit their reserves (in both cases with a HRI of 0.7), as well as the americans, japanese and british (all HRI -0,9). The HRI combines the knowledge, the interest, the emotions, and the willingness to use vehicles equipped with the technology driving autonomous, to produce a numerical indicator between -10 and +10.

Relationship with the lifestyles

To examine the attitudes towards driving autonomously, in the context of the life of the people, the type of user shows that there are significant differences. This analysis results in five types of different users. The “driver suspicious” likes to stick to what already exists and would only use the driving autonomous if it had been fully set. The “reluctant safety” also have an attitude very reserved with regard to driving autonomously. They believe that autonomous cars should first be tested for years before they are allowed to circulate on the roads. The “co-pilot of an open mind” sees the benefits of the technology, and you want to measures in the fields of business, scientific and political to the implementation of safe use of this technology. “Creators of trends” are shown driving enthusiasts autonomous, because in this way they can demonstrate their style of progressive life. The user “expert in technology” trust in the driving and autonomous is to please you to enter in all the fields.

“The conduct of automated and autonomous has the potential to substantially improve our mobility,” says Thomas Müller , responsible for Driving Autonomous Audi: “In the road ahead, it is important not only the technical development but also convince the users. The study provides us with a distinct vision of the situation of persons in connection with the driving of its own, and it serves as a base to analyze how we can set proper expectations about this new technology in the society”.