An article recently published in the journal Scientific Reports investigated the factors influencing the willingness to use home-care robots among potential users in Japan, Ireland, and Finland. Funded by Pfizer, this study addresses the challenges posed by an aging population and the growing demand for effective caregiving solutions.
Study: A comparative study to elucidate factors explaining willingness to use home-care robots in Japan, Ireland, and Finland. Image Credit: Stock-Asso/Shutterstock.com
By emphasizing user-centered principles, the researchers provided insights into how technology can enhance the quality of life for older adults and ease the burden on caregivers. They highlighted the role of user-centric design in improving the acceptance and integration of assistive technologies in daily care settings.
Advancement of Home Care Robots
The rapid advancement of technology has introduced various assistive devices, including home-care robots designed to support older adults and their caregivers. As the global population ages, the demand for effective caregiving solutions has grown, particularly in developed regions such as North America, Europe, Australia, Japan, and New Zealand. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), one in six people will be 60 years or older by 2030, highlighting the urgency of addressing caregiving challenges.
In this context, home-care robots have emerged as a potential solution to reduce the burden on family members and healthcare professionals. These robots can monitor the health and safety of older adults, assist them in daily tasks, and provide companionship. However, despite their capabilities, acceptance among older adults remains limited, underscoring the importance of understanding factors influencing the willingness to adopt such technologies.
User Willingness and Technology Acceptance
In this paper, the authors conducted a survey between November 2018 and February 2019 involving 1,004 participants, including 525 Japanese, 163 Irish, and 170 Finnish respondents. The participants comprised older adults, family caregivers, and home-care professionals. The survey focused on questions like familiarity with robots, key features of home-care robots, expected functionalities, and ethical considerations regarding their use.
The analysis was conducted in multiple stages. Initially, the researchers conducted a bivariate analysis to identify significant associations between willingness to adopt home-care robots and various influencing factors. Then, they performed multivariate regression analysis to determine predictive relationships. The main goal was to explore the general structure of users' willingness to adopt home-care robots and to evaluate whether user-centric principles are universally applicable across the three countries.
Key Findings and Insights
The outcomes showed several factors influencing the willingness to use home-care robots across all three countries. Notably, familiarity with robots emerged as a key determinant. Respondents who had a positive impression of robots and an interest in robot-related news were more willing to adopt these technologies, particularly in caregiving contexts. The study also highlighted the importance of ethical considerations, especially regarding participation in research and development, which influenced respondents across all countries.
In Japan, factors such as robots' perceived convenience and potential to support mobility were the main predictors of willingness. In Ireland, respondents emphasized the robots' ability to notify family members about unexpected changes in the condition of older adults. Finnish participants prioritized design aesthetics and the robots' capacity to enhance mental and physical well-being, reflecting the country’s focus on user-centered design.
The multivariate regression analysis indicated that willingness to participate in research and development processes significantly influenced users' openness to adopting home-care robots. This highlights the necessity of involving potential users in the design and development of assistive technologies to improve acceptance and usability.
Practical Applications
This research has significant implications for the development and deployment of home-care robots. Understanding the factors that influence user willingness can help technology developers and policymakers create solutions that are not only advanced but also culturally sensitive and user-friendly. For example, promoting familiarity with robots through education and outreach initiatives could increase acceptance and facilitate their integration into daily life.
Additionally, the ethical considerations highlighted in the study emphasize the importance of involving potential users in the research and development process. By prioritizing user input, developers can create robots that meet specific needs and concerns, leading to higher adoption rates and better care outcomes.
Conclusion and Future Directions
In summary, the study emphasized the complex relationship between technological advancements and user acceptance of home-care robots. The findings suggest that while technological capabilities are important, addressing ethical concerns and involving users in the development process are crucial for successful implementation.
As the global population ages, the demand for innovative caregiving solutions will continue to grow. This research is a step toward effectively integrating home-care robots into daily life, ensuring they meet the needs of older adults and support caregivers.
Future work should include a wider range of demographic groups and additional countries to validate the findings further. Longitudinal studies could track changing perceptions over time as technology and attitudes toward caregiving evolve. Ultimately, the successful adoption of home-care robots will require a collaborative approach that considers the needs of older adults, caregivers, and healthcare professionals.
Journal Reference
Ide, H., &. et al. A comparative study to elucidate factors explaining willingness to use home-care robots in Japan, Ireland, and Finland. Sci Rep 14, 27656 (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-79414-y, https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-024-79414-y
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