The development of robot technology provides many possibilities for the life support of the elderly. This study explored the acceptability of robots to assist the elderly from the perspective of future designers. A quantitative questionnaire (58 copies) and a qualitative one-to-one interview (10 people) were conducted to explore the attitude of future designers towards the use of robots to assist the elderly. One-sample Wilcoxon signed-rank test statistic was used to analyze the data of the questionnaire. The results show that the mean and median of 11 of the 12 dimensions of the acceptability questionnaire are greater than 3 (3 represents uncertain and neutral attitude), and 10 have statistical significance (p < 0.05). Also, the interview results show the positive attitude of future designers. The research shows that future designers hold a positive and open attitude towards the use of robots to assist the elderly. The research findings can help people understand the attitude of future designers and provide some reference for subsequent robot design and development.
R&D process can primarily be considered as a knowledge management (KM) process. In particular, knowledge sharing/transferring is perceived to be the most essential processes for knowledge management. Organizations rely on many kinds of work groups such as R&D teams to develop technologies, improve services and manage operations. Thus, this study proposes a group level research model which includes transactive memory system, network tie, team-based outcome expectations and trust to examine knowledge sharing in technology R&D teams. Besides, the relationship between KM effectiveness and knowledge sharing is also examined in technology R&D teams. Our research model is assessed using data from a sample of 248 members of technology R&D teams and is analyzed using partial least squares (PLS) method. The results of this study indicate: (1) transactive memory system and team-based outcome expectations can facilitate knowledge sharing; (2) trust and network tie can facilitate transactive memory system and (3) knowledge sharing has no effect on KM effectiveness. This study also discusses implications for the technology R&D teams based on the results of this study.
BACKGROUND: Robots are gaining attention as a potential solution to aging. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to explore the attitude of robot assistance in Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) among elderly people living independently. METHODS: The one-on-one interview, buddy robot video and questionnaire survey were used to analyze mean, median, range, and the test results of non-parametric statistical methods such as Wilcoxon sign-rank test statistic and one-sample Wilcoxon sign-rank test statistic, so as to explore the attitude of the elderly living independently towards robot-assisted ADLs and the acceptance of the use of robots in 32 ADLs. RESULTS: The results showed that there were significant differences in the attitudes, usability and ease of use of elderly people towards robot assistance before and after watching the Buddy Robot video and they had a more positive attitude after watching the video. According to the results, the elderly was more receptive to the use of robots in activities such as “reminding to carry objects” and “reminding to take medicine”, while they were less receptive to the use of robots in the group or private activities such as “playing mahjong” and “taking a bath”. CONCLUSIONS: The results showed that the elderly had a positive attitude towards the use of robot-assisted ADLs, and there were differences in the acceptance of robot-assisted ADLs. The results are helpful to understand the assistance needs and attitudes of the elderly, and provide a reference for the design of assistive robots that meet user needs, and ultimately improve the ability of the elderly to live independently at home.
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