Understanding consumer attitudes towards second-hand robots for the home

Helen Mcgloin*, Matthew Studley, Richard G Mawle, Alan F T Winfield

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticle (Academic Journal)peer-review

Abstract

As robot numbers in the home increase, creating a market for second-hand robotic systems is essential to reduce the waste impact of the industry. Via a survey, consumer attitudes of United Kingdom participants towards second-hand robots were investigated; finding that second-hand robots with guarantees have an equal purchasing interest compared to new systems, highlighting the opportunity for manufacturers and retailers to develop certification standards for second-hand robots to move towards a circular economy. Consumer demographics also demonstrated that those most open to the purchase of both new and second-hand systems were women, those aged 18–25 years old, and those who have previously owned a robot for the home. Participants’ prior ownership of second-hand electronic devices (such as phones and laptops) did not affect rates of interest for second-hand robotic systems suggesting that the technology is still too new for people to be able to project their experience of current second-hand electronics to that of a robot. Additionally, this research found the robotics industry can consider the potential market for second-hand robots to be more similar to the second-hand smartphone market than to the household electronics market, and lessons learnt from the concerns raised by consumers for other internet-enabled electronic devices are similar to those concerns for second-hand robots. This provides an opportunity for the industry to break down the barriers for a circular economy earlier in the technology maturity process than has been seen for other electronics.
Original languageEnglish
Article number1324519
JournalFrontiers in Robotics and AI
Volume11
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 10 Jul 2024

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
Copyright © 2024 McGloin, Studley, Mawle and Winfield.

Keywords

  • robotics
  • sustainability
  • circular-economy
  • second-hand
  • e-waste
  • repurpose
  • reuse
  • recycle

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