Understanding older users’ comfort needs can inform the inclusive design of automated vehicles (AVs). Real-world experience with automated driving is crucial to elicit meaningful insights for older adults, who are expected to benefit from AVs in terms of enhanced mobility and autonomy. In this study, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 27 participants (aged over 60) who experienced a so-called automated ride, operated by a Wizard-of-Oz driver, in Delft, Netherlands. Following the ride, participants were interviewed about their comfort during the ride. Using thematic analysis, we identified three overarching factors associated with user comfort: (1) vehicle factors (including driving styles, AV capabilities, effect of AV exposure , and physical aspects ), (2) environment factors (including effect of external driving environment ), and (3) human factors (including affective experience, attitudes to AV/technology, engagement in non-driving related tasks [NDRTs] , and communication with the AV ). Our findings contribute to understanding comfort in automated driving, by offering a comprehensive list of factors associated with comfort, identifying affective reflections of psychological comfort, and discovering the co-existence of psychological comfort and physical discomfort. The study provides implications for designing comfortable AVs, such as the need for smooth, cautious, and anticipatory driving styles, and flexible and early reactions to unexpected events.

This study investigates acceptance of shared autonomous shuttles (SASs) in a suburban area.A model where contextual variables were mediated through trust in SASs and technology optimism was tested.We examined intentions to use SASs without a steward and the significance of social distancing.Data were collected at the start and end of a 2020-2021 pilot involving 922 and 608 participants respectively, operating at SAE level 3. Findings indicate that trust and technological optimism significantly influence the willingness to use SASs, though contextual variables show minimal impact.Older adults and women displayed lower trust and optimism, reducing their usage intentions.These two groups also feel that it is more important to be able to keep social distance while riding SASs.The study suggests that future pilots should avoid negative impacts from using immature technology and address the social needs of specific groups.