Familiarity Breeds Respect

SAE surveyed participants in its recently concluded AV ride-along program. Their responses reinforce positive perceptions about the automated-driving experience.

If there's one takeaway from SAE International's groundbreaking Demo Days program that took place in various U.S. cities over 18 months, it's that everyday people who've had the opportunity to ride in an automated vehicle (AV) on real roads are the antithesis of Chaucer's familiar phrase, “Familiarity breeds contempt.”

During the program that generated 1,395 surveys, nearly all - 88% - of these early enthusiasts found no reason to change their positive perception of AVs after what was for 94% their first ride in a vehicle operating with high-level automated functionality. Participants at each of the Demo Days demonstrations were surveyed about their impressions before and after their approximately 10-minute AV ride.