Self-Driving Cars Gaining Global Interest

A new consumer survey finds widening worldwide interest and growing acceptance of vehicles that can drive themselves.

New polls of more than 1,700 consumers in China, India and Japan by the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute extend similar surveys earlier this year of consumers in Australia, the U.K. and the U.S.

The new results by researchers Brandon Schoettle and Michael Sivak find positive views about autonomous vehicles among 87% of respondents in China and 84% in India. Only 43% of those polled in Japan favor the technology. The proportions compare with positive views by 62% in Australia, 56% in the U.S. and 52% in the U.K.

When asked their opinion about the biggest benefits of self-driving cars, 70%-80% of respondents in all six countries cited the prospects of fewer and less severe crashes. Roughly half believe such technologies would reduce traffic congestion, and fewer than half believe self-driving cars will shorten travel times.

Still most respondents are wary about riding in an autonomous vehicle. Between 49% (China) and 79% (India) say they would be moderately or very concerned about doing so. Those rates compare with 67% in the U.S., 57% in Australia and the U.K. and 52% in Japan.

The UMTRI researchers conclude that those polled are mostly positive and optimistic and "generally desire" self-driving technology.