Abstract
Autonomous Vehicles [AVs] will emerge as a powerful catalyst, thus forming a potentially disruptive technology opening doors to technological, socio-cultural and legal challenges. Present-day research is mainly focused on technological orientation, lacking the predominant social and behavioural linkages. NZ being a testbed of innovative technologies, is facing significant challenges in growing population and traffic congestions. Auckland ranks 47th globally in terms of traffic congestion costing \1.3b a year to the economy. Therefore, harnessing AV technology will be a significant step to remain competitive. The people's readiness for acceptance influences AVs successful implementation. In this background, it is quintessential to ascertain and evaluate critical factors affecting the successful deployment of AVs in NZ. This exploratory research study is a part of a larger project of realizing a trust dynamics and governance framework for humanizing driverless technology. It is being carried out in collaboration with BMW NZ Group using Autonomous Level 2 Vehicle in Auckland on high, medium and low-density roads with level 3 functions mostly. Drawing on systematic qualitative evidence, this study attempted to find out key determinants/variables affecting user acceptance, including anthropomorphism, training, feedback, safety, security, privacy, customization and adaptive automation for AVs deployment in NZ and their role in garnering users' trust besides suggesting an HMI Autonomous Driving Events Relationship Framework for AVs.