Ethical and Public Acceptance of Autonomous Vehicles. Concerns and Considerations to Increase Public Trust and Acceptance

Research Paper (undergraduate) from the year 2023 in the subject Business economics - Business Ethics, Corporate Ethics, grade: 1,3, Heilbronn University of Applied Sciences, course: Research Study II, language: English, abstract: This research proposal investigates the ethical concerns shaping public acceptance of autonomous vehicles with the goal of addressing these concerns and fostering widespread adoption. Objectives include exploring ethical decision-making, determining public acceptance factors, analyzing state regulations and liability, examining privacy and data security implications, developing ethical guidelines, and assessing the societal impacts of autonomous transportation. Acknowledging the crucial role of public acceptance, the literature review scrutinizes safety, liability, privacy, and employment aspects related to autonomous driving. The proposed methodology involves qualitative and quantitative data collection from the public, experts, and government officials through surveys, interviews, and focus groups. Initial findings suggest a significant influence of ethical concerns on public acceptance, with ongoing exploration of the hypothesis that autonomous driving raises ethical issues. Data analysis employs literature research, document analysis, and triangulation for enhanced validity and reliability. This research, focused on midterm results, aims to provide insights for policymakers, automakers, and stakeholders involved in the development and deployment of autonomous driving technologies. By addressing ethical concerns and promoting public trust, the aim is to contribute to widespread acceptance and successful integration of autonomous vehicles into transportation systems in the future.