How to Promote the Adoption of Electric Robotaxis: Understanding the Moderating Role of Inclusive Design on Interactive Features

Chao Gu, Lie Zhang () and Yingjie Zeng ()
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Chao Gu: Academy of Arts & Design, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
Lie Zhang: Academy of Arts & Design, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
Yingjie Zeng: Department of Industrial Design, Honam University, Gwangju 62399, Republic of Korea

Sustainability, 2024, vol. 16, issue 20, 1-20

Abstract: In recent years, China has witnessed a growing trend in the adoption of electric robotaxi services, with an increasing number of users beginning to experience this emerging mode of transportation. However, enhancing user willingness to ride remains a core challenge that the electric robotaxi industry urgently needs to address. Our study approached this issue from the perspective of interactive features, surveying 880 respondents and utilizing structural equation modeling to analyze user preferences. The research findings indicate that computer-based entertainment has a significant positive impact on traffic information completeness and social interaction, with a large effect (β > 0.5, p < 0.05), and it also exerts a small positive effect on behavioral intention (β > 0.1, p < 0.05). Traffic information completeness and social interaction have a medium positive effect on behavioral intention (β > 0.3, p < 0.05). In addition, we confirmed that inclusive design, gender, and age have significant moderating effects. Understanding the impact of inclusive design on user behavior can help drive industry changes, creating a more inclusive human–vehicle interaction environment for people with different abilities, such as those with autism. Our study reveals the key factors influencing users’ willingness to ride and offers insights and recommendations for the development and practical application of interactive features in electric robotaxis.

Keywords: electric robotaxi; computer-based entertainment; traffic information completeness; social interaction; inclusive design (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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