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Autonomous cars are coming to roads near you. In fact, driverless vehicles are already being tested throughout the country. Twenty-two states have enacted legislation related to autonomous vehicles, paving the way for their inclusion in our daily lives. But how do people feel about this technology? How do incidents such as the tragic Arizona fatal autonomous car accident in March 2018 affect long-term opinions about these vehicles? 

We've put our finger on the pulse of these opinions by analyzing social media comments and likes on the topic through our Artificial Intelligence based technology.

Our analysis was based mostly on Twitter, as this platform allowed a broad look into opinions on this topic, which spiked in the aftermath of the Arizona accident. It shows that while there is considerable concern about safety, the overall trend before the incident points to a mix of positive and negative feelings.

When the idea of driverless vehicles started to become a reality and not just an element of science fiction, people initially viewed the innovation with much skepticism.

APPREHENSION & LACK OF KNOWLEDGE

While the gradual nature of the technology has blunted some of the initial scoffing, there still is a fair amount of apprehension. In analyzing negative mentions on Twitter, frequent buzzwords included "decide", "dies", "problem", "liability" and "crash". These words give insight into real-world consumer mindsets. Those who fear driverless cars are concerned about accidents and fatalities and may be concerned about the technology behind the driving decision-making process. Older people are often more cautious, but when we compared this collected data on interests, we found those interested in technology and engineering were most negative, suggesting that a gap in understanding does not drive skepticism.

SKEPTICISM AIMED AT REGULATORS?

Those with negative opinions about autonomous cars also identified as "father", "husband" and "love" which suggests concerns about the protection of loved ones and possible skepticism aimed not only at the technology but in the how the government will regulate these cars. Prior to the fatal accident, Arizona's governor signed an executive order permitting operation of autonomous cars without a driver behind the wheel. So-called "safety drivers" are currently used as backups in autonomous cars, and one was present in the March accident. Commenters may be wondering how regulations can protect against fatal crashes in the future. 

It's also noteworthy that negative discussion of driverless cars sharply receded after the fatal accident. As of early April 2018, sentiments have returned to a fair even split of negative and positive. Hot-button issues and events, such as the driverless car debate in the shadow of a tragedy, can shed light on consumer mindset. Cogent's Social Listening Experts help businesses identify shifts in public opinion. Knowing the trends that affect consumer sentiment in your industry makes businesses more responsive and relevant. To see how Cogent can help your business get ahead of your industry's curve, contact us for a brand health analysis.

Stay tuned for our next insight and connect with us on social@cogentinfo.com