Acceptance and user experience of the self-driving minibus from BERNMOBIL

With the project "self-driving vehicle", BERNMOBIL tests the deployment of autonomous minibuses for passenger transport. To investigate the acceptance of this offer, the marketing department accompanied the project as scientific partner.

Situation

In urban areas, BERNMOBIL is stepping up innovation activities in the area of its autonomous driving vehicles. With the pilot test "self-driving vehicle" in public transport, BERNMOBIL is testing this new type of service in the city of Bern. Here, the company is using autonomous minibuses in on-demand operation to transport passengers in the Matte and Marzili quarters. In order to scientifically research the acceptance of these buses in public transport, the BFH's "Marketing" group accompanied the project. In several empirical studies, we analyzed and evaluated the needs, usage barriers and perceptions of an autonomous minibus from the perspective of test passengers, neighborhood residents and driving personnel.

Course of action

By means of qualitative in-depth interviews and quantitative surveys, research questions regarding user experience and acceptance will be investigated within the scope of the project.