Enhancing Spatial Acceptance of Smart Docents through Digital Inclusion and Affordance Design

With the development of digital technology, the docent program of the exhibition space has evolved into a smart docent that provides real-time personalized guidance. However, differences in digital capacity between users affect the accessibility and use of these technologies and consequently can lead to a gap in experience within the exhibition space. Based on the concept of digital inclusion, this study aims to identify affordance design elements that support anyone to easily use a smart docent. The research incorporates the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) and Hartson’s affordance theory, reclassifying case study analysis framework accordingly. A mixed- methods approach was used, combining quantitative surveys and qualitative case studies. In the quantitative study, TAM-based regression results revealed that perceived usefulness (PU) had the strongest influence on behavioral intention to use (BI, β = .806, p < .001, R² = .649) and digital inclusion (DI) significantly affected both perceived ease of use (PEOU, β = .925, p < .001) and PU (β = .323, p < .001). One-way ANOVA results showed that older adults showed higher usage frequency and intention despite lower DI levels, suggesting a design that supplements the spatial acceptance of elderly users is necessary. The qualitative analysis involved field studies at four major exhibition halls in Seoul-National Museum of Korea, National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, and Leeum Museum of Art. The findings highlight the importance of physical spaces that support visitor dwell time and device operation, consistent visual guidance systems, and functional layouts that encourage autonomous content navigation. The lack of spaces for feedback or communicating interaction also indicated a disconnection between digital and physical information systems. This study proposes a practical design strategy to increase the spatial acceptance of a digital-based exhibition strategy by empirically analyzing the relationship between technology acceptance and spatial design.