Acceptance of Future Home Technologies and Services: Comparing Different Tasks, Scenarios and User Characteristics

Abstract

While capabilities and applications of smart and intelligent home technologies continue to be developed, not much is known regarding how users of various characteristics and backgrounds feel about the emerging possibilities. In this study, a large-scale online survey was conducted with a diverse group of respondents to describe preferences and acceptance of potential future home technology system concepts addressing different tasks and objectives, as well as utilizing varied degrees of technology integration and automation. Results indicated a sense of uncertainty regarding future home technology, with slightly positive but overall neutral levels of interest, and mostly neutral intention to use various presented system concepts. Findings also illustrate gaps in future home technology acceptance between individuals of different attitudinal and behavioral characteristics, in addition to basic demographic traits, with implications for future design and distribution to address expectations stemming from past technology experiences and overall lifestyle.