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Acceptance of humanoid robots: A psychological perspective
1Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
Science Robotics
|May 20, 2026
Summary
Consumer acceptance of robots hinges on their ability to fulfill psychological needs. Understanding these demand-side factors is crucial for robot adoption and development.
Area of Science:
- Robotics
- Human-Computer Interaction
- Consumer Psychology
Background:
- The increasing integration of robots into daily life necessitates understanding user acceptance.
- Previous research often focused on technological capabilities rather than user-centric factors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the psychological needs influencing consumer acceptance of robots.
- To highlight the importance of demand-side insights in robot design and deployment.
Main Methods:
- Literature review on human-robot interaction and psychological needs.
- Analysis of consumer behavior models related to technology adoption.
Main Results:
- Robot acceptance is significantly correlated with the fulfillment of fundamental psychological needs such as autonomy, competence, and relatedness.
- Demand-side factors, particularly psychological support, are more critical than technical specifications for widespread adoption.
Conclusions:
- Future robot development must prioritize psychological need satisfaction to enhance consumer acceptance.
- Focusing on demand-side insights will drive more effective and user-friendly robotic technologies.
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