Autonomous Vehicles Gain Ground as Consumer Familiarity and Robotaxi Use Grow

A decade ago, assumptions surrounding autonomous vehicles and shared transportation services suggested the technology could ultimately render personal vehicle ownership obsolete.

For autonomous vehicles, safety concerns and high-profile incidents have slowed progress, but the growing acceptance of robotaxis seen in this year’s study indicates that attitudes are clearly evolving.”

The newly released 2026 Cox Automotive Autonomous Vehicle Study explores two aspects of the market’s autonomous future.

Consumers Are Ready for More Automation, But Not Less Control A decade ago, autonomous vehicles were largely hypothetical for most Americans.

Levels of Autonomy and Consumer Appeal As consumer perception is being formed, autonomous technology is already making its way into dealer showrooms and America’s garages.