Older users' wish list for technology attributes: A comparison of household and medical technologies

Abstract

Facing the increasing user diversity and broad diffusion of technology in work-related and private contexts, the sensible tailoring of technology functionalities, attributes, and interfaces - with reference to the requirements and needs of users - is a key prerequisite of a successful rollout and broad acceptance of technologies. However, user diversity and the specific using contexts of technologies have not been sufficiently researched yet. In this study, we examine the wish list regarding attributes for different technologies in a wide age range. Using qualitative and quantitative methodologies, we explored the different specifications for household and medical devices and assessed which attributes users expect for each of the two different technology types. Exploring user diversity, we analyzed effects of age, gender, and health status on the perception of technology requirements. Results show that not only user diversity but also the specific technology type present as critical factors in the definition of proper attributes of technology. The findings may be useful for human-centered product development. © 2013 IFIP International Federation for Information Processing.