Older adults acceptance of SARs: The link between anticipated and actual interaction

TL;DR

This research investigates how older adults' expectations and actual experiences with socially assistive robots influence their acceptance, showing that anticipated interactions can predict acceptance levels.

Contribution

The study uniquely links anticipated and actual interactions to predict older adults' acceptance of SARs, using a novel robot and dual-part methodology.

Findings

Acceptance correlates with anticipated interaction perceptions

Similar responses in both survey and interaction phases

Anticipated interaction predicts actual acceptance

Abstract

This study demonstrates how anticipated and actual interactions shape the QE of SARs among older adults. The study consisted of two parts: an online survey to explore the anticipated interaction through video viewing of a SAR and an acceptance study where older adults interacted with the robot. Both parts of this study were completed with the assistance of Gymmy, a robotic system that our lab developed for training older adults in physical and cognitive activities. Both study parts exhibited similar user responses, indicating that users acceptance of SARs can be predicted by their anticipated interaction. Index Terms: Aging, human-robot interaction, older adults, quality evaluation, socially assistive robots, technology acceptance, technophobia, trust, user experience.