Key factors associated with Australian parents’ willingness to use an automated vehicle to transport their unaccompanied children

This study aimed to identify the key factors associated with Australian parents' willingness use an automated vehicle transport their unaccompanied child(ren). Seven hundred and seventy-five participants completed online survey (M = 40.7 years, SD 8.9 Range 18.0–65.0 years; Female: 56.4%). Most reported that they would 'never' child(ren) (43.5%). The results of a logistic regression model showed participants' age, gender, level education, propensity for technology adoption, aberrant driving behaviours, awareness advanced driver assistance safety (ADAS) technologies, perceived knowledge regarding vehicles, as well requirements assurance-related features were significantly child(ren), χ2(12) 137.41, p < 0.001). Overall, findings suggest parents are mostly unwilling unless various reassurance technologies (i.e., microphones, camera, ability summon if breaks down) embedded in vehicle. Therefore, manufacturers encouraged consider these when prototyping designs so all user groups, including child occupants, can benefit from impending arrival technologies.