The second edition of Vedecom & Macif barometer makes a precise inventory of the progress of autonomous driving technologies on French territory. Several lessons emerge, including the fact that 73% of French people have a positive attitude vis-à-vis the autonomous vehicle and believe that it could play a decisive role in rural areas.
The autonomous vehicle is making a place for itself in the public space
In this study, we learn that if only 5% of French people have already driven an autonomous vehicle, this new way of driving is gaining visibility. Over the months, autonomous vehicles are making their way into the public space. The report shows that 18% of French people have already seen an automated vehicle, i.e. 6% more than in 2020. They are also more and more likely to want to test it: 50% say they are ready to drive with an autonomous vehicle, c ‘East +11% compared to last year.
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Respondents specify that they prefer SAE level 3 autonomous vehicles, a vehicle that is easy to regain control. Generally, 39% of respondents plan to regularly use a vehicle equipped with autonomous technologies, when they are on the road. According to Éric Lebeau, director general of the Vedecom institute, “This second survey clearly shows the direct and positive link between experimentation and acceptability of the autonomous vehicle: it is now time to move on to the deployment and observation of real pilots of operational services”.
Fall driving technologies must meet a societal need
The inventory shows that one of the major challenges of this technology seems be located in rural areas “where the expectation is high for people currently having difficulty getting around”. Indeed, people living outside cities believe that self-driving technologies will be a new way of getting around. 67% of respondents assure that this will allow them to no longer be dependent individual cars. Paradoxically, it is in these areas where autonomous vehicles have the least visibility with the French.
The French respondents believe that autonomous vehicles could help the most vulnerable populations. In particular the elderly, people who do not have a permit, or even people with reduced mobility. In 2021, 95% of French people had still not used an autonomous vehicle, but he is less and less afraid.
Respondents believe that “autonomous driving technologies must first meet a societal need before becoming an individual technology”. It is precisely in this sense that the shared autonomous shuttle will make it possible to revitalize isolated territories by giving access to employment, health or by making mobility accessible to all.