Skip to main content

ADVI research shows most Australians want self-driving cars

Seventy per cent of Australians want a self-driving car able to take over when they feel tired or bored, according to new research by the Australian Driverless Vehicle Initiative (ADVI), announced at this week’s ITS World Congress. In addition, just under three quarters (73%) of Australians would like an autonomous vehicle to transport them when they feel physically or mentally unable to drive manually. The survey, of 5,000 Australians aged over 18, is the first comprehensive national study of the Aus
October 12, 2016 Read time: 2 mins
South Australian transport and infrastructure minister Stephen Mullighan on the Advi stand
Seventy per cent of Australians want a self-driving car able to take over when they feel tired or bored, according to new research by the Australian Driverless Vehicle Initiative (ADVI), announced at this week’s 6456 ITS World Congress.

In addition, just under three quarters (73%) of Australians would like an autonomous vehicle to transport them when they feel physically or mentally unable to drive manually.

The survey, of 5,000 Australians aged over 18, is the first comprehensive national study of the Australian public's attitude toward driverless vehicles.

“Given the lack of community interaction with self-driving cars to date, it's encouraging that almost half (47%) of the Australian population believe they will be safer than humans,” said professor Michael Regan of the Australian Road Research Board.

Regan added that a quarter disagree driverless cars will be safer, and a quarter remain undecided, highlighting the importance of continued community education to communicate the safety benefits.

Interestingly, the research also found that more than half (62%) of Australians do not think autonomous technology should increase the cost of a vehicle.

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • World Congress celebrates coming of age in Detroit
    September 7, 2014
    This is the 21st ITS World Congress and as Scott Belcher, President and CEO of ITS America, puts the event in its wider context, it’s clear that ITS has come of age
  • US holiday season: don’t drive - ride!
    November 23, 2022
    Lyft credits are being provided in four US states to discourage seasonal drunk driving
  • Xerox considers smarter city solutions
    October 14, 2016
    Richard Harris from Xerox considers how to alleviate inner-city traffic congestion. Whether travelling for business or leisure, wasting unnecessary time during your journey is a common source of frustration. From dealing with congestion, hold-ups caused by broken down vehicles or crashes to roadworks and other types of delay, wasting time is almost guaranteed to make most people experience additional stress before they even get to where they want to go.
  • Connected vehicles take modern spin on an old classic
    February 13, 2024
    How do we transition the millions of vehicles on the world’s road to a connected and - one day - automated future? Andy Graham of White Willow Consulting highlights an intriguing pilot which sought to make some of the UK’s oldest vehicles connected – using just a phone