Following the recent launch of autonomous taxi pilots in London, new research by Covertime.com shows half of UK women drivers would consider using one when they begin picking up passengers.
The study, which surveyed 1,120 UK licensed drivers, found that 39% are open to using a driverless taxi, with 17% saying they would use one immediately if it were available and a further 22% saying they would be willing to try one after seeing others use the technology first.
Women were more enthusiastic than men, with 50% saying they would consider using a driverless taxi compared with just 31% of men – a significant 19 percentage point gap.
The findings come as autonomous vehicles reach a landmark moment on UK roads, with pre-registrations open for public trials.
Among women who were open to the idea, the most common reason was personal safety, with many seeing a driverless vehicle as a safer alternative to getting into a car alone with an unfamiliar driver.
However, concerns remain among those who are not yet convinced. The biggest barrier among sceptical drivers was a lack of trust in the technology, with the majority of those who said they would not use a driverless taxi citing concerns about whether autonomous systems are reliable enough.
The findings suggest that while fully autonomous transport still faces a trust challenge, many UK motorists, particularly women, already see potential benefits beyond convenience, including greater comfort and a stronger sense of personal security.
Tom Warsop, Director of Marketing at Covertime.com said: “Driverless vehicles have often been discussed as a technology people are wary of, but these findings suggest that public attitudes towards autonomous transport may be shifting faster than expected.
“A significant number of UK drivers are already open to the idea, particularly women who see autonomous taxis as a potential way to feel safer when travelling alone.
“The challenge for the industry will be building confidence in the technology itself. As more people see autonomous vehicles operating safely, willingness to use them could increase significantly.”
For the full research findings visit: covertime.com/guides/driverless-taxis.
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