近年來，「機器人」被視為解決照護需求大幅增加、支援人力缺口的新興技術，運用於高齡者健康照護或作為生活陪伴對象；又以提供陪伴與互動等功能之角度，過去常透過「動物輔助療法」陪伴高齡者，且對其心理與社會健康有正面影響。本研究目的為探討國內中高齡者之陪伴需求，比較其選擇機器人或寵物作為晚年生活陪伴對象的接受度差異，並進一步分析中高齡者對陪伴型機器人之需求與喜好。
本研究採橫斷式研究，以立意取樣方式收案台灣45歲(含)以上居住於社區中高齡者共240位，受試者觀看陪伴型機器人影片後，填答結構式問卷；統計資料使用SPSS 20版電腦統計套裝軟體，主要以多項式邏輯斯迴歸分析進行資料分析。研究結果顯示，中高齡者之年齡、教育程度、居住房屋類型、職業類別、退休與否、共病數、飼養寵物經驗、APP使用經驗及電子健康識能，顯著影響其選擇機器人或寵物作為晚年生活陪伴對象之接受度。且中高齡者普遍偏好「動物外型」之機器人，其中男性較喜愛「成人外型」之機器人。功能方面，社區中高齡者較需要陪伴型機器人具備跳舞、唱歌、講故事或報新聞等技能類型之功能，其次為家事服務功能；而獨居與否及婚姻狀況也影響中高齡者選擇陪伴型機器人功能之偏好。
透過此研究初步了解國內社區中高齡者生活陪伴需求現況，除作為學術研究之參考外，實務工作者能藉此構思符合不同需求與背景中高齡者之照護專案，並提供未來執行方案、政策推動與科技相關產業產品開發之實證依據。

This is a cross-sectional survey research. The purpose of this study is to explore the acceptance of middle-aged and older adults for choosing robots or pets as the partner in later life, and to find out their needs and preferences of companion robots. We invite 45 years old above middle-aged and older adults who live in community as subjects to answer the structured questionnaire after watching the companion robot video. Then using SPSS 20 version statistical software to analysis data, mainly by Multinomial logistic regression analysis. The results of the study showed that the age, education, type of building, job occupation, retirement, comorbidity, pet experience, APP using experience and eHealth literacy significantly affected the robot/pet acceptance. And middle-aged and older adults prefer the "animal appearance" robot, in which men prefer the "adult appearance" robot. About robot’s function, they prefer the companion robot which have the functions of dancing, singing, storytelling or news reporting. We also found that living alone and marital status will affect the preference of companion robot’s function. Through this study, we can get a preliminary understanding about the current situation of middle-aged and older adults’ needs. In addition to being a reference for academic research, the results can help practitioners making care plans for senior citizens with different needs and backgrounds, and provide evidence base to government for policy promotion and to industries for development.

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