Drivers Quickly Trust Autonomous Cars

Abstract

Successful introduction of autonomous cars require autonomous technology that users experience as trustful and useful. The aim of the study reported in this paper was to explore if drivers trust a fully autonomous car and if they experience that in-vehicle tasks can be conveniently carried out when in full autonomous mode. The test was conducted on a test track and an autonomous research car was used. The car was capable of handling the test track driving environment with full autonomy. When in full autonomous mode the participants got to engage in individually selected tasks, such as use media display, read, eat, drink and carry out work tasks with their own portable devices. The results show that participant trust the autonomous car and they find it convenient to conduct in-vehicle tasks while in full autonomous mode.