Exploring user acceptance of a robotic arm: an aesthetic orientation.

Abstract

An industrial robotic arm has been programmed for use by quadriplegics, as a personal assistant in a rehabilitative setting. This case study is an investigation of the acceptance of this device by disabled individuals who may be likely to use the robot in an actual home or work setting. The use and acceptance of assistive devices have been a significant problem in the utilization of these instruments. An assessment of attitudinal changes of selected quadriplegics in response to the presentation of two orientation programs on the use of a robotic arm was the focus of this project. One program included a discussion of aesthetic sequences of robotic movement, industrial design, and kinetic art. In contrast, the other program presented the "standard" introduction to the robotic arm which involves utilitarian sequences of robotic movement. A robotics questionnaire was administered to both groups before and after the treatment operations. A follow-up study has been conducted. One of the subjects participating in the aesthetic treatment was part of this experiment which followed the posttest. The subject in the follow-up study was trained to use the Robotic Aid for utilitarian tasks. The questionnaire was readministered to this individual in a post-posttest. The whole study can be conceived of as series of investigations of the hypothesis that aesthetic movement of a robotic arm can affect an individual's attitude toward the acceptance and use of robots. As a piece of exploratory research, this case study does not reveal conclusive evidence to support the hypothesis.