Public Readiness towards AEB Adoption in Malaysia: Demographic and Perceptual Perspectives

Abstract

Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) is a key active safety technology that can reduce crash severity and frequency. In Malaysia, where road traffic injuries remain a major public health concern, understanding public readiness to adopt AEB is essential for shaping policy and industry strategies. This study examined the influence of demographic and perceptual factors on readiness to adopt AEB. A structured survey of 450 respondents captured demographic characteristics (age, gender, education, income, vehicle ownership, vehicle type,
driving experience) and perceptual variables (awareness, understanding, impressions, prior experience). Data were analyzed using chi-square tests to identify significant associations with readiness levels. The results show that overall readiness is high, with more than 70% of respondents reporting they are ready or very ready to adopt AEB. Significant demographic associations were observed for gender, education, income, vehicle ownership, vehicle type, and driving experience, while age was not significant. All perceptual factors demonstrated strong associations with readiness, underscoring the importance of awareness, impressions, and experience in shaping acceptance. These findings suggest that while socio-economic characteristics influence opportunities for adoption, perceptual drivers are more decisive in determining readiness. The study provides practical insights for policymakers, manufacturers and ASEAN NCAP, emphasizing the need for awareness campaigns, affordability strategies and wider integration of AEB into vehicle safety standards to accelerate adoption and improve road safety in Malaysia.