Older Adults’ Opinion on Social Robot as Companion

Qualitative Analysis of Conversational Chatbots to Alleviate Loneliness in Older Adults as a Strategy for Emotional Health

“…Although research has revealed important factors in the acceptance of social robots, older adults, especially those aged 85 and older, have been underrepresented in most studies [ 18 ]. This underscores a gap in research in not fully understanding the attitudes and experiences of the older population towards social robots.…”

“…These findings connect with the idea that chatbots designed for older adults could benefit from incorporating features that provide emotional support and encourage social interaction. In the study by FakhrHosseini et al, it is emphasized that older adults expressed frustration due to the limited ability of the robot to engage in real conversations and the restrictions on social communications [ 18 ]. These aspects reinforce the importance of developing chatbots that not only fulfill practical functions but also address the emotional and social needs of older users [ 15 ].…”

“…In previous studies, key results based on the attitudes and experiences of older adults towards social robots were highlighted [ 18 ]. It is noted that the acceptance of these robots as companions was positively influenced by exposure and limited interaction with the robots.…”

“…Regarding technology adoption, previous studies focused on social robots. The acceptance of companion functions was more evident in the older adult group than in other demographic groups, although there was no correlation between previous technological experience and the acceptance of social robots [ 18 ]. The previous study suggests that emotional and social perceptions of robots as companions were generally positive, regardless of the level of technological experience [ 18 ].…”

“…Concerning barriers to technological adoption, concerns about cost, potential technical difficulties, privacy, and security were identified. In the study by FakhrHosseini et al, concerns about affordability, the possibility of technical issues, and the need to ensure privacy and security are revealed [ 18 ]. These findings emphasize that cost, technical difficulties, and concerns about privacy and security could be considered obstacles to the adoption of social robots among older adults.…”