Partially autonomous vehicles (PAVs) vs. fully autonomous vehicles (FAVs): A comparative study with adoption models

This paper presents a decomposed self-efficacy-based value adoption model (SVAM) to explore user perceptions of partially autonomous vehicles (PAVs) and fully autonomous vehicles (FAVs) and their impacts on adoption intention. Data from 279 participants on Mechanical Turk were analyzed using structural equation modeling and multigroup analysis via SmartPLS4.0. Survey results revealed a preference among respondents for PAVs over FAVs. The analysis showed differential effects of perceived value and self-efficacy regarding PAVs and FAVs, shedding light on why users favored PAVs over more advanced FAVs. Perceived enjoyment was identified as a predominant factor in shaping value perceptions of autonomous vehicles, surpassing utilitarian usefulness. Self-efficacy played a varying driving force in preference for PAVs and FAVs, determined by perceived ease of use and familiarity. The proposed SVAM model offers enhanced insights compared to the technology acceptance model in discerning the adoption patterns between PAVs and FAVs. These findings provide valuable insights regarding factors influencing user perceptions and intentions toward PAVs and FAVs, highlighting the different emphases of technology development and marketing in this domain.