Use of Senior Technology Acceptance Model (STAM) for Social Robots Studies

摘要

This chapter explores the adaptation of technology acceptance model (TAM) to senior technology acceptance model (STAM). The extension provides more focus on the perception and acceptance of technology by older persons for researchers to have a better understanding of the multidimensional facets of ageing needs. In the studies conducted in Hong Kong and Singapore, we have used the assessment of two different social robots. For the Hong Kong study, Humanoid social robot, Kabochan, was deployed as an intervention in seven nursing homes to understand the acceptance by residents living with dementia, on the other hand, in a separate joint study between Hong Kong and Singapore, a Japanese affectionate robot, LOVOT, was chosen. Both studies used STAM and a number of social well-being measures to assess the benefits of social robots in the health and care of older persons. STAM has demonstrated its usefulness and relevance in building evidence and correlations to elucidate the varied research objectives. Moving forward, as gerontechnology is populated with advancement in wearables, Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence (AI), and robotics, STAM is likely have a stronger place in the research and evaluation scene. The collection of evidence is to appreciate the complexity of factors in the adoption of gerontechnology.