Small talk in a small vehicle

Abstract

The deployment of shared automated vehicles (SAVs) has the potential to transform urban mobility, yet public acceptance remains a critical barrier. Most acceptance research relies on hypothetical scenarios and quantitative surveys. There is a need for real-world, theory-informed qualitative studies that capture user experience. Rather than a tech-demo or a specialized closed-loop pilot test, this study investigates early adopters of a SAE Level 2 SAV service integrated into the public transport system, with a visible safety driver. Drawing on 12 semi-structured interviews, we apply reflexive thematic analysis informed by the SAVA model, comprising trust, utility, and social comfort, as well as Social Practice Theory (SPT). The aim is to explore how psychological mechanisms and socially embedded practices intersect in shaping acceptance. Four overarching themes were identified: everyday mobility contexts, utility, trust, and social comfort. Acceptance was not determined by isolated attitudes but by how well the service integrated into existing routines and infrastructures. Trust was found to be layered and anchored in vehicle behavior, human operators, and institutional reputation. Utility hinged on dynamic factors such as pick-up/drop-off design, route transparency, and pricing logic. Social comfort was shaped by ambiguous norms around sharing, spatial intimacy, and service framing. Across all themes, the perceived fit between the SAV and users’ lived practices emerged as central to acceptance. Our findings extend current models of SAV acceptance by demonstrating how individual experiences are mediated by competence, materiality, and meaning. We propose that trust, utility, and social comfort function as interdependent practice elements rather than isolated predictors. Design and policy implications include clearer social signaling, accessible service design, and better alignment with everyday geographies.