Canadians appear unready for the arrival of fully automated self-driving vehicles (AVs) and have a poor understanding of the technology, the J.D. Power 2022 Canada Mobility Index Study concludes.
The study put the consumer AV readiness index at 37 out of 100. They are least comfortable with the idea of riding in an AV or buying one and most comfortable with AVs used to transport goods or those who can’t drive themselves.
The study found 67 per cent of consumers had inaccurate knowledge of AVs, with 59 per cent lumping various driver-assist technologies available on current vehicles into the AV category.
Some 48 per cent said the threat of AVs being hacked was a disadvantage, a view that spanned all age demographics. Seventy-seven per cent said they wanted more information on safeguards.