Leveraging socially assistive robots in tourism to promote healthy aging: an exploratory study on aging population

Purpose This study aims to explore the interactions between older adults and socially assistive robot (SAR) in tourism retirement communities from the perspective of mobility, analyzing their acceptance of SAR and the impact on their well-being, in order to provide theoretical foundations and practical guidance for the technological empowerment of the residential tourism model. Design/methodology/approach This study employs experimental design with two separate studies involving older adults aged 45 to 75 who have experience with travel care. Study 1 includes 97 participants divided into two groups to examine the impact of task types (information vs emotional support) provided by artificial intelligence robots on the Satisfaction with Elderly Life. Study 2 expands to four groups with 155 participants to investigate the moderating effect of care models (family-based vs travel-based) and the mediating role of emotional connection in this relationship. Findings The experimental results indicate that the use of SAR, as an emerging artificial intelligence technology, significantly enhances the Satisfaction with Elderly Life of older adults in residential tourism by providing emotional support and facilitating social interaction (p < 0.01). Further analysis reveals that in the context of residential tourism, emotional support provided by SAR is more effective than informational support in home-based care situations, while no significant differences exist in group travel environments. Emotional connection plays a mediating role in these effects. Originality/value This study approaches the integration of SAR with the residential tourism model from a mobility perspective, exploring the potential and practical characteristics of technological empowerment in new elder care models, thereby addressing some of the existing research gaps. The findings suggest that SAR can effectively enhance the Satisfaction with Elderly Life and acceptance of older adults in residential tourism communities. This study not only enriches the research perspective on SAR in elder care but also provides technological support and theoretical basis for the practice of residential tourism, contributing to the broader goals of active aging and technologically supported care.