Exploring the influential factors of initial trust in autonomous cars

Initial trust is one of the critical factors that influence the acceptance of and reliance on autonomous cars (ACs). This study identified the determinants of the initial trust in ACs and explored the relationships between them using structural equation modelling. A survey was conducted using a questionnaire to obtain demographic information, personality traits, design features, task scenarios, and human perception factors from 101 participants without prior interactions with ACs. The results showed that the perceived safety (0.716), capability (0.222), and external locus of control (0.101) are the main positive factors fostering initial trust in ACs, while task risk (-0.349) was the main negative factor. Multigroup analysis demonstrated that the respondents' previous experience with driver-assistance systems encouraged the development of initial trust. The results of this study can provide guidelines for the design and promotion of ACs to develop individuals' initial trust in ACs.