Shifting Perceptions and Emotional Responses to Autonomous Vehicles Using Simulated Experiences

Area of Science:

• Human-Computer Interaction
• Transportation Psychology
• Societal Integration of Technology

Background:

• Societal integration of autonomous vehicles (AVs) hinges on public acceptance.
• Individual emotions and perceptions significantly influence acceptance of new technologies like AVs.
• Traditional surveys may not capture subtle emotional responses crucial for understanding AV adoption.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore emotional factors influencing autonomous vehicle (AV) acceptance in Spain.
• To examine subtle emotional and lexical reactions to AVs beyond traditional attitude surveys.
• To assess the impact of virtual AV simulations on public perception and acceptance.

Main Methods:

• Utilized lexical tasks, virtual AV simulations, and questionnaires to gauge emotional responses.
• Measured acceptance through AV knowledge, perception of autonomous driving, and safety.
• Emphasized lexical-emotional analysis post-simulation to capture nuanced reactions.

Main Results:

• Identified significant gender differences in AV acceptance, with women reporting less knowledge and comfort.
• Virtual AV simulations enhanced understanding and elicited more positive emotional responses.
• Lexical tasks effectively revealed emotional influences on the perception of autonomous driving.

Conclusions:

• Lexical tasks offer a valuable method for assessing emotional influences on technology acceptance.
• Virtual simulations can improve public understanding and foster greater acceptance of AVs.
• Future research should explore the emotional lexicon's role across diverse populations for broader AV integration strategies.