Dynamic interplay between general experience and robot-specific expertise at older adults‘ first encounter with a robot: Role for robot acceptance and implications for robot design
S. Baisch, T. Kolling, B. Klein, J. Pantel, F. Oswald, M. Knopf
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AbstractBackground： Robot acceptance by older adults has been shown to vary widely, hence the question arises how to foster robot acceptance in this target group. Most older adults have little experience with and knowledge about robots. Therefore, general experience acquired during a lifetime in robot-related domains and the provision of robot-specific expertise can be valuable resources to improve older adults’ initial anxiety and attitude towards a robot. Aim： Previous studies have only considered the role of general experience and increasing robot-specific expertise separately. The current study investigates their dynamic interplay at older adults’ first encounter with two social robots. Additionally, the study assessed the role of the robots’ design (zoomorph vs. mechanoid appearance and functions) for the relationship between different domains of general experience (animal and technology experience) and robot acceptance. Methods： In this study, N = 27 older adults (aged 65 - 81 years) were introduced consecutively to two social robots, i.e., the zoomorphic robot Paro and the mechanoid robot Giraff. A stepwise introduction procedure was used to gradually increasing robot-specific expertise. Anxiety and attitude towards the respective robot, as predictors of robot acceptance, were assessed repeatedly throughout the introduction procedure. Technology and animal experience were assessed as relevant domains of general experience. Results： General experience was beneficial for the older adults’ initial levels of anxiety and their attitudes towards both robots, with relevant domains of general experience varying according to the robots’ designs. With increasing robot-specific expertise, attitude ratings improved and the relevance of general experience for anxiety and attitude decreased. Older adults with less general experience profited particularly well from increasing robot-specific expertise. Conclusions： As general experience and robot-specific expertise are important resources for robot acceptance, the need for a more thorough consideration of these aspects in robot development and implementation research is discussed.Keywords: robot expertise, general technology experience, attitude towards robots, robot-related anxiety, social robots, robot acceptance
S. Baisch, T. Kolling, B. Klein, J. Pantel, F. Oswald, M. Knopf (2018). Dynamic interplay between general experience and robot-specific expertise at older adults‘ first encounter with a robot: Role for robot acceptance and implications for robot design. Gerontechnology, 17(4), 215-231
https://doi.org/10.4017/gt.2018.17.4.003.00