The politics and imaginary of 'autonomous vehicles': a participatory journey

This paper explores alternative mobility imaginaries related to Connected and Automated Vehicles (CAVs), challenging the automated vision presented by vehicle and technology companies. Using a post-normal science and digital anthropology approach, the study, through narrative analysis, stakeholder interviews, and Futures Making Ateliers, deconstructs the technological promises of CAVs and assesses their plausibility and desirability from a citizen perspective. Findings suggest that the technology addresses a different problem than the mobility problem articulated in policy documents. By investigating participants' concerns, alternative mobility futures were explored, redefining the problem of mobility and highlighting the role of CAVs as a 'MacGuffin' in shaping mobility futures.

Axelle Van Wynsberghe, Ângela Guimarães Pereira