Analysis of elderly users’ preferences and expectations on service robot’s personality, appearance and interaction

Abstract

Fortunately, improvements in welfare and medical care will allow life expectancy in Europe’s population to increase by the year 2050. However, it is not always the case that living longer implies a healthier, more active and independent life. In this context, technologies and products that will act as assistive companions to elderly, who are living alone at their home, are attracting a growing interest from both a research and commercial perspective. Literature reports contradictory results on the preferences of elderly towards assistive technologies and more specifically, service robots. In this paper, we are called to present an empirical study, conducted in the scope of an EU – Horizon 2020 project, in order to explore people’s perceptions, attitudes and requirements towards the idea of a future service robot for the home. © Springer International Publishing Switzerland 2016.