# Understanding consumer attitudes towards second-hand robots for the home

## TL;DR

This study explores UK consumers' interest in second-hand home robots, finding that guarantees can make them as appealing as new ones, especially for younger and female consumers.

## Contribution

The study identifies demographic trends and market parallels for second-hand robots, suggesting certification standards could boost a circular economy.

## Key findings

- Second-hand robots with guarantees are as appealing as new ones to consumers.
- Younger and female consumers show higher interest in both new and second-hand robots.
- The second-hand robot market is more similar to smartphones than household electronics.

## Abstract

As robot numbers in the home increase, creating a market for second-hand robotic systems is essential to reduce the waste impact of the industry. Via a survey, consumer attitudes of United Kingdom participants towards second-hand robots were investigated; finding that second-hand robots with guarantees have an equal purchasing interest compared to new systems, highlighting the opportunity for manufacturers and retailers to develop certification standards for second-hand robots to move towards a circular economy. Consumer demographics also demonstrated that those most open to the purchase of both new and second-hand systems were women, those aged 18–25 years old, and those who have previously owned a robot for the home. Participants’ prior ownership of second-hand electronic devices (such as phones and laptops) did not affect rates of interest for second-hand robotic systems suggesting that the technology is still too new for people to be able to project their experience of current second-hand electronics to that of a robot. Additionally, this research found the robotics industry can consider the potential market for second-hand robots to be more similar to the second-hand smartphone market than to the household electronics market, and lessons learnt from the concerns raised by consumers for other internet-enabled electronic devices are similar to those concerns for second-hand robots. This provides an opportunity for the industry to break down the barriers for a circular economy earlier in the technology maturity process than has been seen for other electronics.