User Experience and Scale Development of Mobility Aids Based on Factor and Entropy Weight Analysis
Independent mobility for individuals with physical impairments is essential not only for their well-being but also for advancing social equity and sustainable development. Despite the central role of mobility-assistive products, few studies have systematically investigated the factors influencing user adoption from a user experience perspective. To address this gap, this study employed a quantitative empirical approach. Experience evaluations were first collected from 257 users through interviews and online surveys, and relevant user experience attributes were extracted from 23 core publications. A preliminary evaluation scale was then developed through synthesis and expert review. Based on this scale, 390 valid questionnaires were administered, and factor analysis using SPSS 26.0 and AMOS 26.0 was conducted to construct a structured user experience evaluation scale. Entropy weight analysis was subsequently applied to determine the relative priority of each attribute. The final scale comprises four dimensions: usefulness, interactivity, caring, and universality. Notably, caring and universality—rarely emphasized in previous behavioral models—emerged as highly significant. Within interactivity, automation features were found to be the least important, and assistance with stair navigation contributed minimally to perceived usefulness. Conversely, human-centered designs that convey warmth proved critical for effective product design. This study challenges conventional assumptions regarding the needs of individuals with mobility impairments and provides concrete design strategies for stakeholders, thereby enhancing the well-being of vulnerable populations and promoting sustainable societal development. Consequently, the study carries significant theoretical and practical implications.
Authors
- Robbie Napper (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0291-1022)
- Rong Deng (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0005-0168-3741)
- Zheng Wang (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0000-6342-3084)
Institutions
- Jiangnan University (CN)
- Monash University (AU)
Publication Details
- Journal
- SAGE Open
- Published
- 2025-10-01
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1177/21582440251388121
- Primary Topic
- Assistive Technology in Communication and Mobility
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00