A study carried out as part of the country’s first multi-city autonomous vehicle says that 55% of respondents would not feel comfortable using a self-driving car if given the opportunity,

The survey by DG Cities canvassed the opinions of 2,500 people and found 44% think they’ll be less safe than traditional vehicles, compared with 30% who think they’ll be safer.

Just over a quarter (27%) would feel confident using an AV tomorrow, but that rises to more than a third (35%) of people aged 18-35.

Researchers say there are several lessons to take away that may be of interest to other researchers and service designers when using VR to engage audiences with new technologies.

This includes costs, including distribution, which were efficient and economical (<£5 per person) after users completed a simple online registration form with their details.

They say they must integrate user feedback into the experience, develop a sustainable and re-useable resource, engage with primary and secondary schools and education engagement centres and understand drivers of trial participation. They also say that. whilst they took all possible steps to enable those with disabilities to attend the physical trial in Greenwich, its evaluation highlights that the trial did not attract many with mobility-related disabilities, which they put down to to the choice of vehicles used in the trial (Ford Mondeo) which has limited accessibility for those with accessibility needs.

You can read the full report here.

(Picture – Oxbotica)