Understanding Chinese Adults’ Attitudes Towards IoT Home Care Technologies

Abstract

Internet of Things (IoT) technology provides innovative solutions for home care. This study investigates Chinese adults’ preferences and influencing sociodemographic factors of using IoT home care technologies. A total of 512 Chinese (Mean age = 46.1 years, SD = 18.1 years) were investigated about their use and interest in 26 types of IoT home care technologies, overall willingness to use the technologies, and sociodemographic information using an online survey. Stepwise regression was used to identify predictors for ownership of IoT home care technologies and willingness to use IoT technologies. This study found that the overall ownership of IoT home care technologies was not high (Mean number of IoT technologies ‘already in use’ = 8.1 among the 26 selected technologies, SD = 5.0). Chinese users generally had a positive attitude towards such technologies. Their concern focused on home safety and health. People who were younger, more competent with housework, had a monthly disposable income of over 3000 Chinese Yuan (CNY), had more communication with neighbours, lived in a city, had better self-reported health status, lived in a villa and with Internet connection had higher overall scores for ownership of IoT technology. People with better communication skills, who were younger, lived in a city, had a monthly disposable income of 5000–10000 CNY, were more competent with housework and continued to work were more willing to use IoT home care technologies. This study helps stakeholders and policymakers understand the sociodemographic diversity the requirements for IoT home care among Chinese adults.

Keywords: Ageing in Place, Gerontechnology, Individual Differences, Internet of Things

DOI: 10.54941/ahfe1004865