Antecedent variables of intentions to use an autonomous shuttle: Moving beyond TAM and TPB?

Abstract

IntroductionThe use of autonomous shuttles (AS) seems a promising mobility solution. Technology acceptance model (TAM) and theory of planned behavior (TPB) provide useful a priori frameworks to study AS’ acceptance, but they might arguably benefit from a specific, AS-related adjustment. ObjectiveTo provide a preliminary model of AS’ acceptance based on both laboratory and field data. MethodUndergraduate students (n=370, study 1) and both the potential and the real AS users (n=162, study 2) answered surveys concerned with the key TAM, TPB and evidence-based additional variables. ResultsSome of TAM and TPB constructs accounted for 40% of intentions to use an AS while further 13 to 16% were explained systematically by such variables as group norms, affective attitudes and first AS experience. ConclusionSome of TAM and TPB constructs capture substantial proportion of AS’ acceptance while additional social, motivational and experience-related factors should be taken into account.