Research on the Factors Affecting the Adoption of Smart Aged-Care Products by the Aged in China: Extension Based on UTAUT Model

Abstract

With the rapid development of network technology and smart technology, smart aged-care products are becoming increasingly valued for their ability to help the aged actively cope with the challenges of aging. However, seniors face challenges in using smart aged-care products for many reasons, which reduces their willingness to adopt them. As a result, the sustainable development of smart aged-care products is constrained. This study combined the unified theory of technology acceptance and use, perceived risk theory and perceived cost theory, and reconstructed a research model that investigated the adoption of smart aged-care products by the elderly in China. Questionnaires were given to older Chinese adults in this study, and 386 valuable responses were received. The findings of the structural equation model (SEM) analysis are as follows: (1) performance expectancy, effort expectancy, and social influence were positively related to the behavioral intention of seniors to use smart aged-care products; (2) perceived cost and perceived risk were negatively related to the behavioral intention of seniors to use smart aged-care products; (3) perceived risk indirectly affected use behavior through behavioral intentions; (4) facilitating conditions did not have a significant impact on the use behavior of seniors in adopting smart aged-care products. Based on the empirical results, this study sought to improve the use behavior of the aged in relation to the adoption of smart aged-care products, and provided suggestions to improve the overall service quality and sustainability of those products.

Effects of Robot Animacy and Emotional Expressions on Perspective-Taking Abilities: A Comparative Study across Age Groups

“…Society is, thus, grappling with an escalating demand for innovative solutions that can effectively support the mounting needs of this burgeoning demographic. As a result, the last few decades have witnessed a swift rise in the deployment of smart aged-care products [ 2 ] or social service robots [ 3 ], particularly in the healthcare sector, as a means to meet this demand. Prominent companion robots, like Paro, not only assist but also provide emotional support, improving the quality of life of elderly people [ 4 , 5 ].…”