Autonomous vehicles are poised to transform American transportation, offering increased mobility, especially for vulnerable populations such as older adults. While much of the research has focused on the technological and safety aspects of autonomous vehicles, it is crucial to understand the factors influencing older adults’ adoption of this technology. This study examines how technological savviness, as measured by frequency of internet use, impacts older adults' attitudes toward autonomous vehicles. Using data from a nationally representative survey conducted by the Pew Research Center in November 2021, the Technology Acceptance Model and the Theory of Planned Behavior were employed to inform a mediation model. The analysis revealed that higher technological savviness is positively associated with favorable views toward autonomous vehicles, including increased willingness to ride in autonomous vehicles, perceptions of autonomous vehicles as reducing transportation stress, being acceptable for sharing the road with, and being used as taxis and buses. Furthermore, technological savviness was found to fully mediate the relationship between age and the perception of autonomous vehicles as beneficial for society and supporting older adults’ independence. However, no significant association was found between technological savviness and safety concerns, such as crash likelihood or hacking risks. In addition to technological savviness, demographic factors, particularly gender, influenced attitudes toward autonomous vehicles. These findings suggest that initiatives aimed at improving technological savviness, such as educational programs, user-centered design efforts, and collaborations with advocacy groups, could foster greater acceptance of autonomous vehicles among older populations.
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