Interplay of Gender and Anthropomorphism in Shaping Perceptions of Autonomous Vehicles

This study investigates the relationship between gender and anthropomorphism in shaping perceptions of autonomous vehicles, focusing on positive, negative, and competence perceptions. The findings reveal notable interaction effects: men with a high propensity to anthropomorphize report enhanced positive perceptions and higher competence ratings, whereas women with similar tendencies display more negative perceptions and reduced competence ratings. These findings highlight the critical importance of considering the combined effects of gender and anthropomorphic tendencies in the design and marketing of AutoUI to improve acceptance and user experience.