Abstract
Assistive robots are emerging as technologies that enable older adults to perform activities of daily living with autonomy. Exoskeletons are a subset of assistive robots that can support mobility. Perceptions and acceptance of these technologies require understanding in a user-centred design context to ensure optimum experience and adoption by as broad a spectrum of older adults as possible. The adoption and use of assistive robots for activities of daily living (ADL) by older adults is poorly understood. Older adult acceptance of technology is affected by numerous factors, such as perceptions and stigma associated with dependency and ageing. Assistive technology (AT) models provide theoretical frameworks that inform decision-making in relation to assistive devices for people with disabilities. However, technology acceptance models (TAMs) are theoretical explanations of factors that influence why users adopt some technologies and not others. Recent models have emerged specifically describing technology acceptance by older adults. In the context of exoskeleton design, these models could influence design approaches. This article will discuss a selection of TAMs, displaying a chronology that highlights their evolution, and two prioritised TAMs—Almere and the senior technology acceptance model (STAM)—that merit consideration when attempting to understand acceptance and use of assistive robots by older adults.
Highlights
Older adults are expected to account for at least 25% of the European population by2020, increasing to 40% between the years of 2010–2030 [1]
The purpose of this article is to comment on a literature review of technology acceptance models (TAMs) applicable to exoskeleton technologies, in particular for older adults
This article makes an important contribution to the topic of user-centred design of exoskeletons and prospective approaches for studying technology acceptance of such devices by older adults
Summary
Older adults (aged 65+) are expected to account for at least 25% of the European population by2020, increasing to 40% between the years of 2010–2030 [1]. Disability rates in adults aged 60+ have been recorded as 43.4% in lower income countries and 29.5% in higher income countries [2]. In 2013, approximately 13% of the population in the United States of America were living with a mobility impairment, which is considered the most prevalent disability [4]. In 2015, there were over 20 million people living in the USA with an ambulatory disability [5]; globally, this figure exceeds a billion people [2]. In Europe, approximately 80 million people live with some form of disability [6]. Disability in older adults commonly manifests itself as mobility impairment experienced in daily life. Disabled older adults experience higher rates of illness, reduced quality of life and social isolation [7]
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