Acceptance of smart home technology among elderly with assistance of young generation

Abstract

Internet and technology have changed our life and habits significantly in the way of our learning, work, leisure and even communication. In the past, a home installed with all automatic functions was fanciful, but it became realistic when the 'Internet of Things (IoT)' was introduced to the world. Home devices could be interoperated and freely controlled even when the homeowners are physically outside. Many scholars have put the focus on how Smart Home could provide support to the elderly independent living and the adoption of Smart Home among the elderly. It found that the involvement of the family members is a crucial factor which could lead to the success of the Smart Home Technology by giving assistance to the elderly. Therefore, this dissertation would like to study whether the acceptance of Smart Home Technology will be influenced by the involvement of the young generation. The Technology Acceptance Model would be applied throughout the research so as to investigate the acceptance by learning the perception and attitudes of the elderly toward the Smart Home Technology in Hong Kong. In addition, it also aims to find out whether the assistance of the young generation could vary their acceptance of using Smart Home Technology.