An Empirical Study on the Willingness of Young Elderly to Use Elderly Companion Robot

Abstract

In the context of an aging population, this study addresses the deficiency in existing research, which predominantly explores the willingness to utilize elderly companion robots from a positive standpoint. Our aim is to conduct a comprehensive analysis of the factors influencing the willingness of elderly individuals, with a focus on the young elderly population, to use elderly companion robot. We also intend to offer insights for the design and operation of these elderly companion robot. This study adopts the Behavioral Reasoning Theory (BRT) as its theoretical framework and incorporates the extended Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT2) model to examine the impact of various factors on users' attitudes and behavioral intentions. We approach this analysis from both "reasons for" and "reasons against" perspectives, utilizing structural equation modeling as our analytical method to explore how each factor affects users' attitudes and behavioral intentions. Values positively influence performance expectancy, social impact, facilitating conditions, and hedonic motivation, while negatively affecting hindering expectancy, low price value, unhabit, and privacy issues. Performance expectancy, facilitating conditions, and hedonic motivation have a positive impact on older people's attitudes toward elderly companion robots, while unhabit negatively influences their attitudes. Social impact and hindering expectancy positively and negatively impact the elderly's willingness to use elderly companion robots. Designers and manufacturers of robots can enhance the willingness of elderly individuals to use elderly companion robots by improving positive elements and addressing or modifying negative elements.