Poles increasingly view autonomous vehicles (AVs) as a promising innovation that could improve road safety and enhance mobility for seniors and people with disabilities. At the same time, public acceptance of this emerging technology is tempered by concerns—such as the fear of losing control of the vehicle or a perception that AVs may be less reliable than traditional cars. These findings come from recent research on social acceptance of AVs, conducted by the Łukasiewicz Research Network – Automotive Industry Institute (PIMOT).
The researchers emphasize that alongside the technological rollout, there must be public education—both for drivers and passengers—as well as transparent communication about what AVs can and cannot do.
“Our surveys show that society increasingly understands the need for automation in transportation,” said Dr. Karol Zielonka, Director of Łukasiewicz – PIMOT. “There’s a growing recognition that such technology can enhance road safety by reducing situations where a driver’s slow reaction time could lead to accidents.”
Cautious Optimism: Trust in AVs Still Developing
The first results from the study “Social and Technical Aspects of Autonomous Vehicle Safety: From Test Scenarios to Technology Acceptance” were presented by Patryk Szwajkowski of PIMOT’s New Automotive Technologies Research Group at AV Poland 2025, organized by the Motor Transport Institute.
The survey revealed that 31% of respondents were undecided about their feelings toward AVs. Among the rest, positive responses slightly outweighed negative ones (35% vs. 34%).
When asked about which functions they would be comfortable assigning to AVs:
- 55% were willing to let AVs notify them of potential hazards.
- 51% would allow AVs to intervene in dangerous situations.
- Only 28% supported AVs taking control in repetitive traffic scenarios.
- Another 28% approved of AVs managing most driving, provided human override was possible.
- 19% were completely opposed to handing over any driving responsibilities.
“Many respondents expressed a desire for clear labeling of highly automated vehicles,” Dr. Zielonka noted. “That’s understandable. People want to know which vehicles have advanced tech so they can observe them and become accustomed to their presence on the road.”
Fears Center on Control and System Failures
According to the study:
- 53% of respondents fear losing control over the vehicle.
- 58% worry the AV might fail in critical situations.
- More than one-third perceive AVs as potentially dangerous.
- Many raised concerns about the mixed use of autonomous and traditional vehicles on the same roads.
“Technology providers have reached a level where driver assistance systems—and even AVs—can generally be trusted,” said Dr. Zielonka. “But that’s why real-world road testing is so important. Since 2018, it has been legal in Poland, and our institute has conducted several such tests.”
Research Driving Development and Preparedness
PIMOT is currently developing a database of real-world driving scenarios for testing AI algorithms, along with models for evaluating AV performance in simulations, on test tracks, and on public roads. This project is part of the “Science for Society” program supported by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education.
“Technological development is progressing rapidly in Poland, on par with international markets. We even expect implementation to accelerate,” added Dr. Zielonka.
Most respondents said they would appreciate the opportunity to test an AV before deciding to purchase or use one.
“Education and driver training are essential,” said Dr. Zielonka. “We need to prepare not just the public but also drivers to understand how to interact with AV systems—when to trust them, and when to stay alert. These technologies are not yet fully autonomous (Level 5), so we need users to have both confidence and healthy caution.”
Strong Support for AV Benefits
Despite concerns, many Poles recognize the advantages of autonomous vehicles:
- 45% believe AVs could improve road safety (19% were undecided).
- A similar percentage found AVs easier and more convenient than conventional cars.
- 63% agreed AVs could shorten travel times.
- 71% saw AVs as an opportunity to increase mobility for people with disabilities or elderly individuals.
These results highlight a nation cautiously optimistic about autonomous technology—open to its benefits, but mindful of the challenges that come with integration into everyday life.
