Public Acceptance of Autonomous Electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing Aircraft: Analysis Based on the UTAUT Model

Li, Haiyu; Yang, Yanbin; He, Dengbo · 2026 · Transportation Research Record

DOI: 10.1177/03611981261419008

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Summary

This study investigates the factors influencing public acceptance of autonomous electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, a core technology for urban air mobility (UAM). While general UAM acceptance has been studied, the specific attitudes toward fully autonomous eVTOL systems remain under-explored. The authors argue that the unique safety risks and technological novelty of autonomous aviation require a re-evaluation of acceptance drivers compared to manned aircraft or surface autonomous vehicles. To address this gap, the research extends the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) by incorporating perceived risk and trust as critical constructs. The researchers conducted an online survey targeting potential users in China, where commercial eVTOL services are not yet available. Data were collected via the Tencent Questionnaire Platform, yielding 500 initial responses. After rigorous screening for consistency, response time, and variance, 412 valid responses were retained for analysis. Participants viewed a promotional video to ensure a standardized understanding of the technology before answering questions based on a five-point Likert scale. The study employed structural equation modeling (SEM) to test nine hypotheses regarding the relationships between behavioral intention, perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, trust, and perceived risk. The analysis revealed that perceived usefulness is the primary determinant of users’ behavioral intention to adopt autonomous eVTOL aircraft. Trust was found to have significant positive effects on both perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness, thereby indirectly influencing adoption intentions. Additionally, trust negatively impacted perceived risk. The study also identified moderating effects of demographic factors, specifically noting that respondents’ income levels and familiarity with eVTOL technology significantly influenced their psychological constructs and willingness to use the service. These findings suggest that while functional benefits drive adoption, trust is a foundational antecedent that shapes how users perceive the utility and accessibility of the technology. The significance of this research lies in its provision of actionable insights for policymakers, manufacturers, and service operators aiming to commercialize autonomous eVTOL systems. By identifying trust and perceived usefulness as key drivers, the study highlights the need for strategies that build public confidence and clearly communicate operational benefits. The findings contribute to the theoretical understanding of technology acceptance in novel transportation contexts and offer practical guidance for overcoming social acceptance barriers, which are critical for the successful deployment of urban air mobility ecosystems.

Key finding

Perceived usefulness is the primary determinant of behavioral intention to use autonomous eVTOL aircraft, with trust significantly enhancing both perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness.

Methodology

survey

Sample size: 412

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Summary generated by qwen3.6-27b-prismaquant on 2026-06-10; verification: verified.

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• acceptance adoption

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• Empirical Findings: self report data