Shifting Gears: Trust and Expectation Dynamics in Automated Vehicles

Abstract

The research outlined in this dissertation provides a holistic exploration into the intricate factors influencing user expectations and trust in Automated Vehicles (AVs), both of which are central to the acceptance and adoption of such transformative technologies. AVs, with their potential to revolutionize transportation through enhanced safety, efficiency, and convenience, have generated widespread interest. However, persisting apprehensions around AV safety, performance, and reliability create a barrier to their widespread acceptance and utilization, suggesting a discrepancy between the theoretical advantages of AVs and public perceptions thereof. To unravel this discrepancy and effectively accelerate AV adoption, this dissertation undertakes a multifaceted investigation into the factors shaping public perceptions, specifically focusing on the formation of expectations and trust.

My research pivots around three core research questions: What individual factors shape people's expectations of AVs? How do these expectations impact their trust in AVs? How does the gender similarity between humans and AV explanation voices affect trust, and how is this moderated by gender-role congruity? The answers to these questions elucidate the intricacies of cognitive and affective trust development in the context of AV adoption.

Results from my dissertation highlight three major findings. One, individual characteristics such as demographic factors such as age, gender, and ethnicity, along with personality traits (e.g., extraversion, agreeableness, conscientiousness), significantly shape people’s preconceived expectations of AVs. Two, expectations significantly mold the level of trust in AVs, influenced by the disconfirmation effect. Three, the study demonstrated that the impact of gender similarity between users and the AV’s explanatory voice could be moderated by the expected role of the vehicle.

Overall, this dissertation embarks on a profound exploration of expectations, trust, and design elements, offering critical insights that will shape the forward path for AVs development and implementation. It dissects the intricate dynamics of expectation and trust formation, essential for the user acceptance and adoption of AVs. The study also underscores the powerful role of both user-centric and voice characteristic design in influencing these factors. By bringing these components to light, this research helps navigate the complexities and potentials of AVs, paving the way for an imminent paradigm shift in transportation.