Analyzing the models of consumer acceptance of technology from the perspective of preparedness for autonomous vehicles

In our study, we review the framework of questionnaire research methods suitable for analyzing the consumer acceptance of vehicle industry innovations, more specifically, of autonomous vehicles. Our aim is to identify the most widely used research models and examine which variables affect consumer acceptance of self-driving technologies to the greatest extent. The various modified versions of the TAM and UTAUT models are the most commonly used models to address the topic in the literature. Both models are characterized by the attempt to predict a consumer’s behavioral intention based on the specificities of a technology. Due to the difficulties of prior testing of self-driving technologies, it is worth reviewing these methods from the aspect of how suitable they are for capturing the consumer acceptance of this technology and through what adaptation measures. We do not aim to question the validity of researching the topic by questionnaire surveys, but we find it important to emphasize the significance of cautious adaptation. In the present paper, we intend to provide a methodological basis for future research related to autonomous technology by revising the TAM and UTAUT methods.

Keywords: autonomous vehicles, consumer acceptance, TAM, UTAUT