Between fear and trust: Older adults’ evaluation of socially assistive robots

Abstract

Socially Assistive Robots (SARs) are expected to support autonomy, aging in place, and wellbeing in later life. Acceptance and successful assimilation of SARs among older adults depend ontheir Quality Evaluations (QEs), namely, the pragmatic and hedonic evaluations and overall attractiveness. Previous studies showed that trust in robots significantly enhances QE, while technophobia considerably decreases it. However, so far, these key factors have always been explored separately. Applying a case study approach, the current research aimed to examine the relative impact of these two factors on older persons’ QE of SARs. The study was based on an online survey of 384 individuals aged 65 and above. Respondents were presented with a video of Gymmy, a robotic system for physical and cognitive training, and filled out a questionnaire relating to that system. The results indicated a positive association between trust and QE and a negative association between technophobia and QE. A simultaneous exploration demonstrated that the relative impact of technophobia was significantly more substantial than that of trust. In addition, the pragmatic qualities of the robot were found to be more crucial to its QE than the social aspects of use. The findings suggest that implementing robotics technology in later life strongly depends on reducing older adults’ technophobia regarding the convenience of using SARs. The study also highlights the importance of simultaneous explorations of facilitators and inhibitors to SARs use.