Rethinking the road ahead – generation Z’s perspectives on AI-based mobility services

• The TRACE model identifies latent psychosocial drivers shaping Gen Z’s acceptance of autonomous vehicles. • AVs are seen by Gen Z as both liberating tools and sources of psychological discomfort, per GT analysis. • Loss of driving experience and cyberrisk fears are key psychological barriers to AV adoption. • AV design, marketing, and policy must reflect user agency, transparency, and symbolic lifestyle values. Empirical studies project that autonomous vehicles (AVs) with SAE Levels 4/5 will become widely available for passenger transport by the early 2030s. However, consumer expectations and perceived risks related to this technology remain insufficiently understood. This study addresses this gap by exploring how Generation Z – arguably the most receptive segment to Industry 4.0 innovations – perceives highly automated vehicles. Focus group interviews (n discussions = 5, n subject = 25) were conducted and analysed following the three-stage Grounded Theory method developed by Corbin – Strauss (1990). The resulting conceptual model – TRACE ( Technology-related Repertoires of Attitudes, Control, and Engagement ) – identifies critical yet under-researched factors such as alternative vehicle usage patterns, AI-scepticism, and shifting human–machine (AI) interdependence that may significantly shape AV acceptance. This research offers a theoretical contribution to the field of human–technology interaction and practical insights for stakeholders aiming to accelerate the socially responsible diffusion of AVs.