Vernetzung des Automobils - Akzeptanz durch Autofahrer. Eine Betrachtung aus sozialwissenschaftlicher Sicht

Kurzfassung

For years now, there has been talk of connected road traffic, and the integration of cars in these networks has been much discussed, always in newly developed variants. The accompanying imagery changes, but the message stays the same: the more road traffic can be connected, the more efficient and safer it will be. This promises a benefit which, in view of the efforts put into reducing the negative impact of road traffic – accidents, congestion, emissions – is hardly ever questioned. Only recently have questions arisen on the possible “secondary effects” of networking. These primarily concern the potential to identify a vehicle, and thus also the person at the wheel and the route they are taking, including where they stop and how long for. This is also being reflected in the media in the most diverse ways. In light of general considerations of what people expect from technological innovations, or what they worry about, this paper discusses how “digital connectedness” in the broader sense, and the networking of cars in particular, are perceived and assessed by (potential) users. The few up-to-date studies that have looked at connectedness, and especially connected vehicles, show that connectivity is accepted when it is perceived to provide an individual benefit. Judgment tends to be more reserved regarding the transfer of data that can be personalized or linked to a location. Most people say this is due to their desire to decide for themselves whether data is released or not. Overall, however, current user attitudes and expectations are largely unknown. It is also unclear whether there are specific groups among car drivers with particularly hostile attitudes, or even especially amenable ones. Present debate is thus mired in intuitively founded opinions rather than based on robust findings. Producers of connected and networkable products – including car manufacturers – appear to be playing a significant role in the discussion. Public discourse on the pros and cons of connectivity, particularly that of cars, is still in its infancy.