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While only a small percentage of drivers say they would be completely comfortable in a driverless car, a sizable amount would have no problem as long as they retain some control, according to a University of Michigan report.
Researchers Brandon Schoettle and Michael Sivak of the U-M Transportation Research Institute examined motorists' preferences for vehicle automation, including their overall concern about riding in self-driving cars.
They surveyed 505 licensed drivers and found about 44 percent prefer to retain full control while driving. Nearly 16 percent would rather ride in a completely self-driving vehicle, while almost 41 percent said they prefer a partially self-driving vehicle with only occasional control by the driver.
Male drivers and drivers under 45 are more likely to favor partially or completely self-driving vehicles, the researchers say.
"Self-driving vehicles are often discussed in regard to their potential safety, energy-consumption and environmental benefits, or the existing technical challenges that must be overcome for their successful implementation," Schoettle said. "However, less attention has been paid to considering the actual level of automation, if any, that drivers desire in their vehicle."
While about two-thirds of those surveyed said they are at least moderately concerned about riding in completely self-driving vehicles, that percentage drops to less than half for partially self-driving cars. Women and those 45 and older are more apt to have concerns with either level of automation. According to the U-M report, nearly all respondents (96 percent) would want to have a steering wheel and gas and brake pedals available in completely self-driving vehicles.
As for partially self-driving vehicles, 59 percent of those surveyed said they prefer a combination of three warning modes (sound, visual, vibration) to notify drivers when to take control of the vehicle. About 19 percent thought that sound and visuals would be enough.
Schoettle and Sivak defined the three levels of automation as:
- Completely self-driving: The vehicle will control all safety-critical functions, even allowing the vehicle to travel without a passenger if required.
- Partially self-driving: The driver will be able to hand over control of all safety-critical functions to the vehicle; only occasional control by the driver will be required.
- No self-driving: The driver will always be in complete control of all safety functions, but the driver will be assisted with various advanced technologies.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Saturday July 25 2015, @06:30PM
I'd rather learn how to do differential equations than let a computer do it for me, if that's what you're asking. What's the use of something if it takes learning away?
(Score: 2) by Anal Pumpernickel on Saturday July 25 2015, @07:03PM
What's the use of something if it takes learning away?
Because you can do useful things without investing all the time required to learn how to do other things.
Also, nothing would stop you from attempting to come to a deep understanding of differential equations and then letting a computer handle most of the work for you to speed things up. Humans are tool-using creatures; don't forget that.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Saturday July 25 2015, @08:15PM
That's great... While you do all the calculations using pen and paper (no abacus for you), I'll be over there in my office, getting paid for my work because I'm actually efficient!
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Saturday July 25 2015, @09:02PM
And just as stupid as most college grads I've fired.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday July 26 2015, @12:36AM
Aaah, the Dunning-Kruger effect in action: I'm moar awesomer than college graduates because I've got real smrts and they don't done got any brians.
Not smart enough or hard working enough to be a graduate, but just smart enough to be a manager.
(Score: 2) by Anal Pumpernickel on Sunday July 26 2015, @12:40PM
Aaah, the Dunning-Kruger effect in action
It would be extremely to difficult to truly disprove this assertion to a stranger. I could say the Dunning-Kruger effect applies just as easily to a grand majority of college graduates, because it is easy to make assertions.
But unless you think that everyone is equal in all ways, there are, in fact, going to be some people who are better at some things than others. What those things are, who those people are, and to what degree they are better varies. This is the problem with screaming "Dunning-Kruger" in every possible situation.
Not smart enough or hard working enough to be a graduate
What makes you think so? Furthermore, what makes you think that most colleges have good enough standards to the point where getting a degree would be overly difficult for someone who is truly intelligent and talented? And what makes you think that college graduates are inherently superior? What makes you think that person is not a college graduate? Perhaps they were just talking about *most* college graduates, and they are also a college graduate.
Too many assumptions on your part.