Can a Robot Care for Me? Exploring Chinese Older Adults’ Preferences and A Priori Acceptance of Home Healthcare Robots Through the Senior Technology Acceptance Model

Home healthcare robots (HHRs) show promise in easing healthcare burden, whereas Chinese older adults’ preferences for and acceptance of HHRs are still unknown. We conducted a scenario-based survey based on the senior technology acceptance model (STAM) to investigate participants’ preferences for HHRs’ functions and interaction modalities, and factors that influencing HHR acceptance. Results indicated that functions such as emergency help and health data measurement were mostly welcomed. Voice command was preferred as the input modality, and screen displays as the output modality. The revised STAM model totally explained 58% of the variance in the behavioral intention to use HHRs, with perceived usefulness, attitude, and walking ability as the predictors. The effects of self-efficacy, social influence, and facilitating conditions on behavioral intention to use HHRs were fully mediated by perceived usefulness and attitude. The findings can extend the body of knowledge of robotic acceptance and provide insights for near-future HHR development.