Older Chinese people’s attitudes and preferences towards technology and robots

The aging of the global population presents important challenges and opportunities for societies worldwide. Technologies and robots are promising tools in addressing the diverse needs of older people, with the potential to enhance their daily lives, healthcare experiences, and social interactions. Most research on the design of technologies and robots of older people has been conducted in Western countries, therefore, this programme of research investigated the use and attitudes of older people in China to technologies and robots.
A first study explored young Chinese technologists' attitudes toward older people as users of and experts with technology. It found that they have ageist attitudes toward older people as technology users, although they do not have sexist attitudes.
A second study examined older Chinese people’s attitudes toward current technologies they use and their attitudes toward new technologies and robots. It found that they hold positive and negative attitudes toward current technologies but they hold positive attitudes toward new technologies and robots.
A third study investigated older Chinese people’s attitudes and expectations of three different robot types and found that older Chinese people hold positive attitudes toward task-oriented table and movement robots, while they hold varied attitudes toward companion pet robots. The study also found they have different expectations for the different robot types.
A fourth study investigated older Chinese people’s attitudes to a pet robot (MiRo). The study found that older Chinese people hold positive attitudes toward MiRo both as a companion and assistant.
This research contributes to understanding of young Chinese technologists' attitudes toward older people as users of technology. In addition, it has provided an insight into older Chinese people's attitudes toward technologies and robots, especially in relation to different robot types. Finally, it has provided an understanding of older Chinese people's attitudes toward robots for both companionship and assistance in daily life.