Survey on the acceptance of smart cars amongst middle-aged and elderly in China

Abstract

In several countries around the world, the ageing of their populations is accelerating. As middle-aged and elderly people get older, their physical functions gradually decline, and increasing problems with moving around become an important factor preventing them from leading active lives. The popularity of smart cars is going to play an important part in solving this problem. This makes it all the more important to have an accurate understanding of the attitude of middle-aged and elderly people via-à-vis smart cars, and to take those attitudes into consideration when designing, developing and promoting smart cars. Based on a large number of literature reviews and technology acceptance extension models like TAM and UTAUT, this study proposed and tested a model of the acceptance of smart cars amongst middle-aged and elderly people (MSCTAM) that includes external variables. Other factors that determined whether middle-aged and elderly people in China would accept smart cars were also taken into account. In terms of model verification, we used SEM of SPSS AMOS for fit indices and aggregation validity analysis. The hypothesis test part was based on model fit indices, discriminant validity and path analysis, while power analysis, using Python, was also conducted. The Wilcoxon's Sign Rank Test of SPPS was used for acceptance. For data collection, we mainly used a combination of online and offline questionnaire surveys, with subjects from various provinces and cities in China. A total of 293 questionnaires was collected, and 262 valid responses were obtained. The results showed that the attitudes towards use, perceived usefulness, enjoyment and social norms were significantly positively correlated with usage intention, while trust was positively correlated with usage intention. Affordability was negatively correlated with usage intention, perceived ease of use; reliability was significantly positively correlated with perceived usefulness; enjoyment was significantly positively correlated with perceived ease of use, perceived ease of use, perceived usefulness, personal innovation, and environment-friendliness. Symbolic value was significantly positively correlated with attitudes towards use, while safety risks and privacy risks were negatively correlated with attitudes towards use. Of the 16 hypotheses, 12 were supported, indicating that middle-aged and elderly people in China on the one hand have a positive and open attitude towards smart cars, but on the other, also have a number of concerns. The proposed model provides more refined survey models and data support for Chinese smart car developers and manufacturers, and furnishes them with references for the research field of technology acceptance models. The proposed model provides Chinese intelligent automobile development companies and distributors with a more refined survey model and data support, and offers references and guidance for further research of technology acceptance models.