Although companion-type robots are already commercially available, little interest has been taken in identifying reasons for inter-individual differences in their acceptance. Elders’ age-related perceptions of both their own self (self-image) and of the general older robot user (user image) could play a relevant role in this context. Since little is known to date about elders’ companion-type robot user image, it is one aim of this study to investigate its age-related facets, concentrating on possibly stigmatizing perceptions of elder robot users. The study also addresses the association between elders’ age-related self-image and robot acceptance: Is the association independent of the user image or not? To investigate these research questions, N = 28 adults aged 63 years and older were introduced to the companion-type robot Pleo. Afterwards, several markers of robot acceptance were assessed. Actual and ideal self- and subjective robot user image were assessed by a study-specific semantic differential on the stereotype dimensions of warmth and competence. Results show that participants tended to stigmatize elder robot users. The self-images were not directly related to robot acceptance, but affected it in the context of the user image. A higher fit between self- and user image was associated with higher perceived usefulness, social acceptance, and intention to use the robot. To conclude, elders’ subjective interpretations of new technologies play a relevant role for their acceptance. Together with elders’ individual self-images, they need to be considered in both robot development and implementation. Future research should consider that associations between user characteristics and robot acceptance by elders can be complex and easily overlooked.

尽管伴侣型机器人已经可以从市场上买到，但是人们几乎没有兴趣确定它们在接受性方面存在个体差异的原因。在这种情况下，老年人对自己的自我（自我形象）和一般的老年人机器人用户（用户形象）与年龄相关的看法可能会发挥重要作用。由于迄今为止对老年人的同伴型机器人用户图像知之甚少，因此本研究的目的之一是调查其与年龄相关的方面，并集中精力对老年人机器人用户进行污名化的印象。该研究还解决了与老年人年龄相关的自我形象和机器人接受度之间的关联：该关联是否独立于用户形象？为了调查这些研究问题，N = 28位年龄在63岁及以上的成年人被介绍给伴侣型机器人Pleo。之后，评估了机器人接受度的几个标记。通过针对保暖和能力的刻板印象维度的研究特定语义差异，评估了实际和理想的自我和主观机器人用户图像。结果表明，参与者倾向于对老年机器人用户污蔑。自我图像与机器人的接受度并不直接相关，而是在用户图像的上下文中影响了它。自我和用户图像之间的高度契合度与更高的感知有用性，社会认可度和使用机器人的意愿有关。总而言之，长者对新技术的主观解释对他们的接受具有重要作用。连同长者的个人形象，在机器人开发和实施中都需要考虑它们。未来的研究应考虑到用户特征与机器人被老年人接受之间的关联可能很复杂，很容易被忽略。