Automotive Fleet
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Public Still Wary of Self-Driving Tech, Survey Finds

New survey results from research firm Gartner find that 55% of respondents would decline an opportunity to take a ride in a fully autonomous vehicle.  

by Staff
August 30, 2017
Public Still Wary of Self-Driving Tech, Survey Finds

General Motors is among the automakers now testing fully autonomous vehicles. Photo courtesy of GM.

3 min to read


General Motors is among the automakers now testing fully autonomous vehicles. Photo courtesy of GM.

A new survey of people in the U.S. and Germany found that 55% of respondents wouldn’t consider riding in a fully autonomous vehicle, but 71% might consider riding in a vehicle that’s partially autonomous.

Ad Loading...

Survey participants primarily cited concerns about technology failures and security to explain their reluctance to trust self-driving cars. Technology research firm Gartner conducted the online survey, which polled 1,519 Americans and Germans from April through May of this year.

Ad Loading...

Though multiple launches of autonomous vehicles are expected around 2020, the full impact of autonomous vehicle technology on society and the economy will not begin to emerge until about 2025, Gartner projected in its report of the survey results. Consumer and social acceptance will be crucial to widespread adoption.

“Fear of autonomous vehicles getting confused by unexpected situations, safety concerns around equipment and system failures, and vehicle and system security are top concerns around using fully autonomous vehicles,” said Mike Ramsey, research director at Gartner.

Survey respondents acknowledged, however, that fully autonomous vehicles offer many advantages, including improved fuel economy and a reduction in the number and severity of crashes. Additional benefits they identified included having a safe transportation option when drivers are tired and using travel time for entertainment and work, Gartner reported.

The survey found that consumers who currently embrace on-demand car services are more likely to ride in and purchase partially and fully autonomous vehicles.

“This signifies that these more evolved users of transportation methods are more open toward the concept of autonomous cars,” Ramsey said.

Ad Loading...

The percentage of people who used a mobility service, such as Uber or Car2Go, in the past 12 months rose to 23% — up from 19% in a similar survey conducted two years earlier. But the transition to dropping a personally owned vehicle will be challenging outside of dense urban areas, Gartner found.

Among surveyed automobile owners who have a driveway or other easily accessed parking, nearly half of them said they would not consider giving up their own vehicle — even if they saved 75% over the cost of owning their own car. The ability to leave at any moment was the most cited reason for not replacing personal vehicles with on-demand car services. Trust and personal safety are also top concerns.

“The automotive industry is investing in new safety and convenience technology at a rate not seen since the dawn of the automobile,” Ramsey said. “The experience of owning and operating a car will be dramatically different in 10 years.”

Dozens of companies are currently developing sensors and other technologies required to enable vehicles to detect and understand their surroundings. As of mid-2017, more than 46 companies are building artificial intelligence (AI)-based software to control an autonomous vehicle and make it operate in the world, according to Gartner.

“Autonomous driving technology will fundamentally transform the automotive industry, changing the way vehicles are built, operated, sold, used and serviced,” Ramsey said.

More Safety

Safe Driving on Halloween over spooky fall road
Safety•by Staff•October 25, 2026

Tips for Driving Safely on Halloween Night

This video features a reminder from the Connecticut Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Connecticut Police Chiefs Association, urging drivers to prioritize safety this Halloween.

Read More →
a crash test dummy in a car
Safety•by Jeanny Abraham•October 22, 2026

IIHS Crash Avoidance Tests Reveal Safety Gaps in Cargo Vans and Work Trucks

New IIHS crash avoidance ratings show uneven performance among cargo vans and heavy-duty pickups, with most struggling to avoid vehicle-to-vehicle collisions.

Read More →
AN AF news recap thumbnail
Safety•by Faith Howell•October 16, 2026

What’s Next for Fleet? Safety, AI & Industry Recognition | AF News Recap

Could your company's culture be encouraging distracted driving? This week, we're exploring how workplace expectations affect driver safety, what AI, EVs, and autonomous vehicles could mean for the future of fleet management, and how fleet professionals can strengthen their award nominations.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
a man driving with a cell phone in his hand.
Safety•by Jeanny Abraham•October 14, 2026

Does Your Fleet's Culture Encourage Distracted Driving?

What happens when the people responsible for enforcing safety rules are the ones setting the wrong example? The answer may reveal why some of the biggest risks to fleet drivers have little to do with what's written in the employee handbook.

Read More →
Motorq Whitepaper Cover - Fleet Managers Ultimate Playbook
Sponsored•October 1, 2026

Fleet Manager’s Ultimate Playbook: Navigating the New Standard in OEM Connectivity

Rising operating costs, driver safety concerns, and unplanned downtime are putting unprecedented pressure on modern fleets. Discover how fleet managers use embedded OEM connectivity and real-time vehicle data to cut TCO, prevent downtime, and protect drivers without aftermarket telematics hardware.

Read More →
An AF news recap thumbnail with a woman pointing at the title "From driver well-being to EV charging"
Safety•by Faith Howell•September 21, 2026

From Driver Well-Being to EV Charging | AF News Recap

Mental health belongs in the fleet safety conversation. This week, we’re looking at five ways fleets can support employee well-being before a crisis, plus Holman’s expansion in Mexico, new one-day Fleet Forward passes, and why EV charging demand is outpacing infrastructure growth.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Nexar and nauto logos
Safety•by Staff•September 15, 2026

Nexar-Nauto Merger Aims to Give Fleets Better Safety Intelligence Through Larger Driving Dataset

Stefan Heck tells Automotive Fleet that combining more than 10 billion miles of driving history with Nexar's AI models will give fleets deeper insights into driver risk and roadway conditions than either company could provide independently.

Read More →
Two fleet employees talk beside work trucks beneath the words “Mental Health Is Fleet Safety,” highlighting the connection between employee mental health and fleet safety.
Safety•September 15, 2026

Don't Wait for a Crisis: 5 Ways to Build Mental Health Into Your Fleet Safety Program

For Suicide Prevention Month, fleet and safety leaders have an opportunity to put mental health where it belongs: at the center of workplace safety.

Read More →
hands covering toy car with digital widgets surrounding it
Safety•by Chris Brown•September 1, 2026

How Camera Data Can Strengthen a Fleet’s Insurance Renewal

Insights from a commercial insurance carrier and a broker show how fleets can turn video telematic data, driver coaching, and improved claims results into a stronger case at insurance renewal.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
An image to reflect an article on how the safest fleets aren't the ones with the most tech.
Safety•August 11, 2026

The Safest Fleets Aren’t the Ones with the Most Technology

You’ve made the telematics investment. Here’s how to capture the other half of its value and build the safest fleet on the road.

Read More →