Assistance systems: The clearer the benefits, the higher the acceptance
Autonomous driving, in which software takes over all tasks from the driver, is the most far-reaching form of automation. Today, there are already a large number of assistance systems that support drivers, or even take over driving tasks completely.
In China, the idea of entrusting parking entirely to an autonomous assistant appeals to a clear majority of respondents – more people than in the other countries.
Although more than half of the respondents in Germany, the USA, Japan and France would like to make use of this technology in the near future, their decision is to a greater extent dependent on the price of the assistance system. In China, this only plays a role for 5 percent of all respondents, whereas in Japan it is 21 percent.
The turn assistant enjoys a similar level of popularity as the parking assistant. The Chinese in particular are enthusiastic about using this safety feature, which specifically protects cyclists and pedestrians from turning vehicles and is initially gaining acceptance in the commercial vehicle sector, in the near future. The Japanese, on the other hand, will make their decision based on price. Overall, however, there is a very high openness toward using this safety-relevant assistance system.
The general sentiment is somewhat more skeptical when it comes to partially automated driving, for example in highway traffic jams, when the driver takes on the role of observer. However, the number of skeptics who would not use such automatic distance control systems in the future is significantly higher in Germany and France than when it comes to parking and turn assistance systems.
What’s more, in all countries, the number of technology enthusiasts who welcome new safety and comfort assistance systems exceeds the number of skeptics. The latter are most prevalent in Germany, while in Japan and China the number of doubters is small.
China’s affinity for technology is also evident in other developments. When it comes to the use of comfort features such as displays or three-dimensional imaging, the Chinese are particularly enthusiastic – 88 percent of those surveyed would like to use such technology in their car. In the other countries included in the comparison, between 54 percent (Germany) and 64 percent (USA) are in favor of the further development of digital displays. However, it is also apparent that in all countries more attention is paid to the price of such systems than in the case of pure safety technology. One’s own safety and that of others takes precedence over convenience and comfort. When it comes to safety, moreover, a generally larger proportion of drivers are willing to let technology take over the steering wheel.
Download the brochure "From Driver to Passenger: Attitudes Toward the Technological Development of the Car - pdf (378KB)".
- Drivers hold on to the steering wheel – and have expectations for the existing technology
- The benefits of autonomous driving are increasingly being seen – but there are also still reservations
- Assistance systems: The clearer the benefits, the higher the acceptance
- Data is willingly shared when there is a clear benefit
Ali Parvanta
Spokesperson Innovation & Technology
Continental AG