Intention to use robotic exoskeletons by older people: A fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis approach

Robotic exoskeletons have the potential to compensate for age-related declines in muscle strength and physical performance. The previous research on exoskeletons' acceptability mostly relies on symmetrical-based approaches, which ignore the asymmetrical relationship between antecedents. Drawing on configuration theory and the Senior Technology Acceptance Model, this study intends to bring together fragmented views of acceptance literature by examining how technology perception (attitudinal beliefs and technology anxiety), subjective health (self-reported quality of life and perceptions of aging), and functional health (muscle strength, skeletal muscle mass, and physical performance) combine as configurations in explaining older adults’ intention to use exoskeletons. A questionnaire survey and laboratory physical tests were used for data collection. Data from 91 community-dwelling older individuals were analyzed using a fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis. The intention to use exoskeletons is explained by five configurational patterns. Findings support the necessity of attitudinal beliefs for intention to use. This study takes a unique methodological approach from a configurational standpoint, adding to the existing robotics literature. Results show that the presence or absence of the same antecedent conditions (e.g., exoskeleton anxiety and physical performance) may generate behavioral intention depending on how they are combined with other causative antecedents.