Germans Skeptical of Robo-Taxis – New Report

A new report on mobility has found that Germans are significantly more skeptical about autonomous robo-taxis than respondents in China, Japan and the U.S. Four out of five Chinese people says they could imagine using a robo-taxi, along with almost half of respondents in the U.S. and Japan. However, just one third of German respondents says they would use them.

Continental’s 2018 Mobility Study also found that women are the most skeptical, with three quarters saying they would not use a robo-taxi. Chinese respondents are particularly excited by the prospect, with just 2 percent rejecting the idea completely.

In response to the findings of the study, Dr. Elmar Degenhart, Chairman of Continental’s Executive Board says: “We are convinced that, in the future, driverless vehicles will form the backbone for transporting people and goods in the ever-expanding metropolitan regions around the world. As part of modern mobility, robo-taxis will help to not only reduce traffic jams, accidents and air pollution, but also free up parking spaces in cities.”

When asked about mobility solutions such as carsharing and carpooling just one third of motorists in Germany, the U.S. and Japan are open to using them. By contrast, around half of those aged 30 and under in all three countries would be open to these services. Most drivers over 60 in Germany and the U.S. says they would refuse to use such services.

Continental says the study is one of the most comprehensive of its kind worldwide on the acceptance of advanced driver assistance systems and automated driving.