Technology acceptance and perceptions of robotic assistive devices by older adults – implications for exoskeleton design

This study explored and interpreted insights expressed by a cohort of older adults related to their life experience, their experiences using or assisting someone with assistive devices, and their perceptions of robots and robotic assistive devices, including lower limb exoskeletons. A grounded theory study was undertaken with 24 older adult participants over the duration of five months. Each participant participated in a structured interviewed regarding their experiences with technologies, and perceptions of assistive technologies. Themes from the interviews were coded using Nvivo software. Five main themes emerged from this study – 1) Aging & life stage experiences, 2) Quality of Life, 3) Assistive Technologies, 4) Health Conditions & Care, 5) Products & Service Systems, which have influenced new constructs for a hybrid design tool that incorporates stages of Usability and TAMs (Technology Acceptance Models) to gauge a) Perception, b) Experience and c) Perceived Impact by older adults of lower limb exoskeletons. Emerging technologies such as robotic assistive devices require specific enquiry to understand how best to optimize acceptance by older adults and avoid feelings by them of frustration, embarrassment and ultimately abandonment of these devices.