Self-Driving Cars Will Outperform Humans Within 10 Years, ANSYS Survey Says

Seven out of 10 consumers believe autonomous cars drive better than humans or will surpass human abilities by 2029, according to a worldwide consumer survey commissioned by ANSYS. The complete ANSYS Global Autonomous Vehicles Report uncovers varying consumer attitudes with autonomous vehicles (AVs).

ANSYS commissioned the survey to gauge global consumer perception of AVs and better understand expectations for the future of travel. In June, ANSYS unveiled a snapshot from this study of public attitudes toward autonomous aircraft. The release of the Global Autonomous Vehicles Report provides a detailed analysis of public perceptions, ANSYS says. The report confirms consumers have high expectations for autonomous capabilities and that consumers are comfortable with the idea of riding in autonomous cars and aircraft in their lifetime.

Highlights from the report include: 

• Consumer faith: 71% of global respondents believe autonomous cars are better at driving than humans or will surpass human abilities within 10 years.
• Embracing AVs: Japanese respondents were more confident in AVs than the global average; 83% believe autonomous cars will be better drivers than humans within a decade and 38% believe they already are.
• Ready to ride: 77% of global respondents would be comfortable riding in an autonomous car at some point during their lifetime.
• Young adopters: 87% of 18- to 24-year-old respondents and 88% of 25- to 34-year-old respondents reported feeling comfortable with autonomous cars in their lifetime. Forty-three percent of respondents over the age of 65 said they would never ride in an autonomous car.
• Highs and lows: At 97%, Chinese respondents were most open to riding in an autonomous car during their lifetime. By contrast, just 57% of respondents from the United Kingdom said they would be comfortable riding in an autonomous car.
• Exploring anxieties: When asked their top concern for riding in autonomous cars and planes, most respondents said technology failure at 59% and 65%, respectively.
• Trust in car manufacturers: 24% of respondents believe luxury car companies would offer the safest autonomous driving experience, followed by technology companies that may one day offer an autonomous car (20%) and non-luxury brands (16%).

"We are at the threshold of a fully autonomous era that will revolutionize global transportation. This report confirms the world’s optimism—but also legitimate concerns—for AVs," says Eric Bantegnie, vice president and general manager of the systems business unit at ANSYS. "To drive worldwide AV adoption, manufacturers must prove the technology is safer and more reliable than humans. ANSYS simulation solutions make that possible."

To view the report and learn more about the survey, click here. 

Survey Methodology

ANSYS commissioned Atomik Research to field an online survey of 22,041 adults aged 18+ in 11 markets (United States, DACH, France, Italy, Spain, Benelux, Sweden, Japan, China, India). The research fieldwork took place between April 26 and May 7, 2019. In accordance with Market Research Society guidelines and regulations, the margin of error fell within +/-2% at a confidence level of 95%. Atomik Research is an independent creative market research agency that employs MRS-certified researchers and abides to MRS code.

Sources: Press materials received from the company and additional information gleaned from the company’s website.