• Home
  • News
  • Coins2Day 500
  • Tech
  • Finance
  • Leadership
  • Lifestyle
  • Rankings
  • Multimedia
Tech

This Is What Most People Really Think of Self-Driving Cars

By
Michal Addady
Michal Addady
Down Arrow Button Icon
By
Michal Addady
Michal Addady
Down Arrow Button Icon
June 30, 2016, 11:24 AM ET
Interviews With Industry Leaders At Viva Technology Conference
Attendees inspect a Google Inc. self-driving car at Viva Technology conference in Paris, France, on Thursday, June 30, 2016. The first edition of the new European Tech conference Viva Technology brings together 5,000 startups with top investors and future shaping companies. Photographer: Marlene Awaad/Bloomberg via Getty ImagesPhoto by Marlene Awaad—Bloomberg via Getty Images

It seems most people are happy for a robot to take over their car, at least some of the time.

Consulting firm AlixPartners surveyed 1,517 people to find out what they think about self-driving cars.

The study found that nearly three-quarters of respondents support fully autonomous vehicles, while an impressive 90% would want a partially self-driving car that they could take control of when necessary, Bloomberg reports.

These findings contradict other recent studies, particularly one from the University of Michigan’s Transportation Research Institute which found that just 16% of those surveyed would want an autonomous car, and nearly half were uninterested in utilizing the concept whatsoever. Similar to the AlixPartners survey, the Michigan study found stronger support for a vehicle that was only partly autonomous, though it still remained fairly low at 39%.

It’s quite apparent in both studies that consumers want the option to control the car if necessary, which could damper Google’s (GOOG) vision of having a completely autonomous car with no steering wheels or pedals.

[Playbuzz-item url=”//www.playbuzz.com/fortune/would-you-consider-buying-a-self-driving-car”]

Mark Wakefield, head of AlixPartners’ automotive practice, suggests that the questions were framed differently in this survey than they were in others, eliciting different opinions. “It’s worth remembering that commuting sucks and it has gotten worse every decade,” he told Bloomberg. “Autonomous driving increases the economic utility of the commuter and it makes their life better. When you describe what it can do, they like that.”

The survey also found that 41% of respondents want Silicon Valley to develop self-driving technology. Japanese automakers came in second at 26%, followed by U.S. Automakers at 17%, and European automakers at 7%. As for who should build the actual vehicle, U.S. Automakers were the favorite at 27%, followed closely by Japanese automakers at 25% and Silicon Valley at 24%; European automakers trailed behind at 12%.

About the Author
By Michal Addady
See full bioRight Arrow Button Icon
Rankings
  • 100 Best Companies
  • Coins2Day 500
  • Global 500
  • Coins2Day 500 Europe
  • Most Powerful Women
  • Future 50
  • World’s Most Admired Companies
  • See All Rankings
Sections
  • Finance
  • Leadership
  • Success
  • Tech
  • Asia
  • Europe
  • Environment
  • Coins2Day Crypto
  • Health
  • Retail
  • Lifestyle
  • Politics
  • Newsletters
  • Magazine
  • Features
  • Commentary
  • Mpw
  • CEO Initiative
  • Conferences
  • Personal Finance
  • Education
Customer Support
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Customer Service Portal
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms Of Use
  • Single Issues For Purchase
  • International Print
Commercial Services
  • Advertising
  • Coins2Day Brand Studio
  • Coins2Day Analytics
  • Coins2Day Conferences
  • Business Development
About Us
  • About Us
  • Editorial Calendar
  • Press Center
  • Work At Coins2Day
  • Diversity And Inclusion
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map

© 2025 Coins2Day Media IP Limited. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy | CA Notice at Collection and Privacy Notice | Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information
FORTUNE is a trademark of Coins2Day Media IP Limited, registered in the U.S. and other countries. FORTUNE may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.