Abstract

BOLANOS, Manuel; COLLAZOS, Cesar  and  GUTIERREZ, Francisco. Reference Framework for Measuring the Level of Technological Acceptance by the Elderly: A Case Study of Virtual Assistants. TecnoL. [online]. 2021, vol.24, n.50, pp.223-238.  Epub Mar 01, 2021. ISSN 0123-7799.  https://doi.org/10.22430/22565337.1791.

Elderly people often have problems to use technology. As a result, the existing diversity of systems and applications adapted to this kind of users is expanding, thus facilitating the communication with their social environment, and supporting their daily activities. The aim of this study was to identify the intention of a group of older adults in Pasto, Colombia, to use smart virtual assistants and the activities in which they think these devices would be useful. Considering the participants’ characteristics and in order to capture their feelings, thoughts, and experiences, we held focus groups to gather precise, clear, and simple information. The results obtained indicate that older adults can potentially use virtual assistants for their daily personal, work-related, and recreational activities. Nevertheless, motivation and technology acceptance are key aspects to ensure the usability of technological systems by this population group, and user requirements should be well defined in order to identify the characteristics and functionalities that they expect to find in such technology products. Therefore, technology developed for the elderly must meet their essential expectations in order for them to accept and adopt it in their daily lives.

Keywords : Technology Acceptance; Smart Virtual Assistant; Elderly; Usability; Playful Strategies.

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