User Trust: The Key Issue in the Application of the Autonomous System Embedded with Ambient Intelligence for Protecting Elderly People [Funder: Carleton University COVID-19 Rapid Research Response Grants]

COVID-19 has caused havoc on the elderly population; their number of deaths is staggering. An autonomous care system embedded with ambient intelligence can ensure independence for elderly people and increase cooperation, social interaction, and adaptation. However, the degree of innovation and the level of independence of any autonomous system vary significantly by the vendors' strategy, design criteria, and, most importantly, consumers' adaptability and behavioural attitudes. This study seeks to understand the level of trust elderly people must have to accept autonomous systems instead of human support, and how trust and personal characteristics can improve the intent to adopt autonomous systems. Through this empirical study of elderly people in Ontario and the structural equation modeling analysis, we will develop an understanding of how trust can be enhanced in these less-familiar living machine systems. This study will have significant implications on the design and understanding of the support requirements of future autonomous elderly care systems.