U.S. Lags in Acceptance of Autonomous Tech

Only one in four car buyers in the U.S. would consider a self-driving vehicle compared with a 36% rate globally, says Paris-based research firm Ipsos MediaCT.

Ipsos’ third annual Global Mobility report gathered input from 20,000 consumers in 10 countries. In addition to its assessment of autonomous vehicles, Ipso also is preparing reports on electrification and shared mobility.

Just 30% of American buyers say they have a positive opinion of autonomous modes that allow vehicles to steer and brake without driver input.

Worldwide, about half of new buyers have some familiarity with autonomous vehicle systems. Customers in China and Japan are the best informed and most open to buying semi-autonomous vehicles, according to the study.

Safety is a big concern, with 44% of respondents saying they would remain focused on the road while a vehicle is operating in autonomous mode. More than two-thirds of those polled indicated they enjoy driving a vehicle themselves.

Consumers expect autonomous vehicles will be offered in their home country no sooner than 2023. BMW, Tesla and Toyota are viewed as leaders in the technology.