Ching Ju Chiu|Shiuan Hsieh|Chia Wei Li
Needs and Preferences of Middle-Aged and Older Adults in Taiwan for Companion Robots and Pets: Survey Study
National Cheng Kung University|National Cheng Kung University|National Cheng Kung University
recent years robots considered new tech industry used solve shortage human resources field health care also animalassisted therapy used provide assistance companionship interaction among elderly shown positive impact emotional psychological wellbeing pets robots provide dynamic communication positive interaction patterns however preferences middleaged older adults regard clearthis study explored degree acceptance robots pets partners later life determine needs preferences elderly individuals related companion robotsa total 273 middleaged older adults aged 45 years living community invited answer structured questionnaire watching companion robot video sociodemographic data physical health status activities experience technology ehealth literacy acceptance attitude toward robots pets recorded analyzed using multinomial logistic regression analysisage level education type dwelling occupation retirement status number comorbidities experience pets experience using apps ehealth literacy significantly associated acceptance robots pets middleaged older women preferred robots animallike appearance men preferred robots resembled human adult terms robot functions participants preferred companion robot dancing singing storytelling newsreporting functions participants marital status whether lived alone affected preference functions companion robotfindings study inform development social robots regard appearance functions address loneliness later life fastaging societies