Young people to be driving force of autonomous tech, says report
Researchers found nearly three-quarters of 17 to 24-year-olds felt autonomous tech would improve their quality of life, with about half saying they’d get in one today
Young people will be at the forefront of the autonomous vehicle revolution, as new research finds that nearly three-quarters of 17 to 24-year-olds believe it will improve their quality of life.
Increased mobility (29 per cent) and reduced stress (48 per cent) were the key factors behind young people embracing the technology. The high cost of car ownership and poor public transport links led to more than half of young people saying they feel their mobility is restricted.
The survey of 3,641 consumers by Strategy& on behalf of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders also found that older people and those with disabilities were receptive to autonomous vehicle technology as a solution to their mobility problems.
Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive, said: “The benefits of connected and autonomous vehicles are life-changing.
“While fully autonomous cars will be a step change for society, this report shows young people are already tuning into their benefits – and it’s great to see tomorrow’s new car buyers getting excited about the vehicles they’ll be driving in the future.
“The challenge now is to meet this excitement by creating policy to allow this technology to thrive, given how it will deliver these wider societal advantages.”
Researchers also calculated that autonomous vehicles would give one million more people access to further education, increasing their earning potential by an estimated average of £8,509 per year.
