Assessing the Willingness of Elder Users in Using Virtual and Augmented Reality Technologies

Abstract

Emerging technologies in the form of Virtual (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) can play an important role in improving the lives of the elderly and as such efforts in designing elderly-friendly applications are of paramount importance. However, despite the importance of this topic, issues related to the attitudes of elder users towards new technologies are not thoroughly investigated in the literature. With our work, we aim to analyze issues related to the willingness of older people to use emerging technologies, determine the difficulties faced, and define design requirements that will make emerging technologies more accessible to elder users. Our investigation involves a three-stage hierarchical structure where in each step the participants are exposed to more technologically intensive interaction styles. Our study revealed, that elder people are willing to use advanced technologies in the form of Augmented and Virtual Reality provided that the issues of useful functionality, usability, and neat design are met. The results of this study are important for designers and developers of VR/AR applications for the elderly, who need to address the issues indicated by the target group, to allow them to regularly use such applications in their everyday life.