Affiliations: [a] Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Medicine, Keimyung University, Daegu 42601, Korea | [b] Scientific Instruments Reliability Assessment Center, Korea Basic Science Institute, Daejeon 34133, Korea
Correspondence:
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Corresponding author: Chang-Yong Kim, Facilities and Equipment Management Team, National Research Facilities and Equipment Center, Korea Basic Science Institute, 169-148, Gwahak-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 34133, Korea. Tel.: +82 10 9807 0113; Fax: +82 42 865 3956; E-mail: dreampt@korea.ac.kr.
Abstract: BACKGROUND: The Republic of Korea has become the most rapidly aging society and is anticipated to enter the post-aged society in 2026. As the population ages, demand for senior-friendly products has gradually increased. Under the demands for these circumstances, usability evaluation aimed to make these products more competitive in terms of quality has been perceived as a critical means. In particular, ergonomically wrong-designed products could prove fatal to elderly people. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the study is to develop qualitative usability evaluation criteria of communication service robot, one of the senior-friendly products, for elderly people. METHODS: To develop the usability testing criteria of a communication service robot for elderly people. The following was carried out: product selection, selection of target product, development of leading indicators, correction by experts, and preliminary evaluation according to the scenario and development of core indicators. For this, a draft questionnaire was developed for the elderly at around age 60. After small group tests and interviews, the experts modified the initial draft to the usability evaluation criteria of communication service robot for elderly people. RESULTS: Development indicators include four subscales: safety, controllability, efficiency, and satisfaction. All the subscales passed the reliability criteria by four groups of elderly people, divided by gender and the familiarity witth smart move devices. CONCLUSIONS: Development indicators cover a wider area of user experiences of the communication service robot and are a good measurement tool to help both the users and developers of the service robot for elderly people.
Keywords: Communication service robot, elderly people, senior-friendly products, usability evaluation, user
