The Effects of Organism- Versus Object-Based Robot Design Approaches on the Consumer Acceptance of Domestic Robots

Abstract

The current size of the market for domestic robots is smaller than expected, despite the rapid advance in robotic technologies. On the basis of the previous literature, we attempt to make a distinction between two design approaches for domestic robots: organism- versus object-based robot designs. This research investigates the effects of these domestic robot design approaches on consumer acceptance. Encompassing the theories of Human–Robot Interaction, design, and marketing, we predict that object-based robot design will be more effective than organism-based robot design for consumers’ evaluation of and intent to purchase domestic robots. We also predict that the categorization of robots will mediate the effects of robot design approaches on the evaluation. Two studies using two types of robots were conducted, and the results supported the hypotheses. © 2017, Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht.