Examining stress among older women during travel in autonomous vehicles

Introduction Autonomous vehicles (AVs) can address mobility limitations among older women. However, physiological responses to initial AV exposure in this population, which often reports lower trust in automation, remain understudied. This study assessed stress responses when older women believed a vehicle was autonomous versus human-driven. Methods Eighteen women aged 60+ completed a within-subject field experiment involving two 6-min closed-course trips: one with an in-vehicle driver and one with a Wizard-of-Oz operator. Heart rate (HR), heart rate variability (HRV), and skin conductance responses (SCR) were continuously monitored. Results HR and HRV indicated progressively increasing stress during the autonomous ride but decreasing stress during manual driving. SCRs were longer and more intense during the AV trip. Conclusions Findings highlight the need for stress-sensitive AV design, such as transparent interfaces or real-time remote assistance, to support older women's adaptation during early AV exposure.