Socially Assistive Robots: Measuring Older Adults' Perceptions.

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Human-Robot Interaction
• Health Informatics

Background:

• Healthcare leaders propose technology, including robots, to address staffing shortages and improve care efficiency and safety.
• Limited understanding exists regarding older adults' perceptions and acceptance of socially assistive robots (SARs).

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and test a survey instrument, the Robot Acceptance Survey (RAS), to measure older adults' likelihood of using SARs.
• To assess older adults' perceptions of SARs using the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use Technology framework.

Main Methods:

• A survey based on the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use Technology framework was developed.
• The Robot Acceptance Survey (RAS) includes subscales for Performance Expectancy, Effort Expectancy, and Attitude.
• Older adults completed the RAS before and after an experimental procedure involving a SAR.

Main Results:

• The RAS subscales demonstrated good internal consistency, with Cronbach's alpha coefficients ranging from 0.77 to 0.89.
• The subscales were sensitive to change, indicating more positive reactions towards SARs after participants experienced them.
• Participants showed improved attitudes and expectancies regarding SARs post-interaction.

Conclusions:

• Older adults' acceptance of SARs is influenced by their experiences and perceptions.
• Future research should focus on specific robotic functionalities for cognitive, physical, and social assistance.
• Identifying factors related to the person, activity, situation, and robot is crucial for enhancing SAR acceptance in older populations.