Measuring user acceptance of wearable symbiotic devices: validation study across application scenarios

Wearable devices detecting users’ psycho-physiological parameters and providing related feedback are an important component of intelligent systems adapting to users’ cognitive and affective states. However, issues related to perceived comfort and privacy might compromise users’ intention to use them in real contexts. To measure users’ acceptance of these devices, we built a questionnaire that includes key dimensions of the TAM model [7] [15], such as perceived usefulness, effort expectancy, psychological attachment, facilitating conditions, and some dimensions that are especially relevant to wearable symbiotic systems (e.g., attitude and anxiety toward technological innovations, perceived comfort, and perceived privacy). This questionnaire was administered to 110 respondents with reference to three devices (i.e., smart-shirt, portable EEG system, and eye-tracking glasses) and six usage scenarios (dangerous work, heavy work, sport, homecare, research, retail). After validation, 26 items were retained for the analysis and their factorial structure clarified. Perceived usefulness, perceived comfort/pleasantness, facilitating conditions, and attitude toward technology are good predictors of acceptance. The effects of scenario, device, and expertise are also discussed.