Family perspectives on autonomous vehicles: a systematic literature review

A growing body of research examines families' perspectives (parents and/or children) on automated mobility. Specifically, the potential of automated vehicles (AVs) to improve mobility for families with children has been explored in recent years. In a systematic literature review, we summarized key findings from existing empirical studies and identified areas for future research. Following PRISMA guidelines, we screened empirical (quantitative, qualitative, mixed methods) publications (journal articles, full-text conference proceedings) published in English over the past nine years (2017–2025) from three databases and via cross-referencing. Using a three-stage screening process, we identified N = 41 relevant publications. Most publications addressed parental perspectives on (unaccompanied) child transportation using AVs, using quantitative online surveys to gain their insights. We identified five main research topics in the included publications: (1) attitudes and willingness to use AVs for family mobility, (2) factors influencing this willingness, (3) benefits and concerns regarding AV use, (4) design implications for AVs, including usability and user experience, and (5) use cases for child transportation. Parental views on using AVs to transport their children are mixed. Concerns often outweigh perceived benefits, and trust issues frequently arise. Key design features parents need in AVs include reassurance about the reliability of the automation technology, protection of their children from strangers, and entertainment options for children during automated rides. Future research should emphasize the family perspective over individual perspectives of children or parents and explore the application of AVs in real-world scenarios to assess how they integrate into family mobility and their effect on children's independence and active mobility. • Systematic review of 41 studies on family perspectives regarding automated vehicles following the PRISMA guidelines. • Most publications are quantitative online surveys focusing on parents' views on child transportation in AVs. • Parents generally express more concerns than benefits related to AV use in the current literature. • Findings on AV design aspects such as child surveillance and entertainment during rides are mixed. • Future research should take a more child-focused approach to AVs, along with the existing technology-driven perspective.