Table 7 Requirements for improvements of the human-following robot.

6.1 Good idea, but needs development

“I think it's a basically a good idea. But I think it needs a bit of planning…”—F11, Aged 69

“I can see how that would be very useful. When I used to walk down to the shop, the Co-op is about half a mile away and it’s all downhill, walk down to the Co-op and then be able to bring that shopping back. That would save me carrying it.”—F7, Aged 74

“My main thing is that, if it was more versatile. If it was dual purpose, you know multipurpose. Say yes, automatic, it can follow me again, it could do this, but it can also be pulled along, push along trolley.”—M5, Aged 79

“I think it might be useful to have some sort of alarm system on it, because if you know if you're going out, and you know you want that extra protection, maybe, maybe there's some way of activating it into alarm. So, you know, “here I am. I’m in trouble, please help. Come and help”. Something like that might be useful so it gives you added confidence in your security.”—M6, Aged 61

“Maybe a little light? Yes, if it had a little light that, you know not so much for during the day, but if you're coming back in winter and it's four o'clock. It's dark. And so, you're trying to get your shopping before people come home from work so… Maybe a little light.”—F7, Aged 70

“It might be useful around the town. If you went to Aberdeen shopping […] then if you could pick one up in the town somewhere and take it with you around the town it would mean you wouldn’t have to carry your carrier bags, and things like that, with you.”—F2, Aged 70

6.2 Up for trying new technology

“I do love the technology, it’s a bit of fun. It is fun, yeah.”—M5, Aged 79

“I don't think I would have any problems with, you know, the technology, as it were […] I mean I’m not at all worried about trying new technology and then thinking ‘well, that didn’t work very well, did it’. And I think some of my U3A people, they are very nervous about trying new technology, so I think it would have to have a trial run to see if it worked.”—M1, Aged 75

“I don't think I would have any problems with, you know, the technology, as it were. No problems at all, because you know I use a motorised… battery driven golf cart, which is a very similar sort of idea. And no problems at all with it.”—M4, Aged 82

6.3 Unintended consequences

“..you need it to be bright for people who are walking along because that's the other issue, I would think. How many people wouldn’t, you know, see it because they're on their phones. The number of people now, if you're walking down Northumberland Street who just do not see you. They’d be tripping over the top of it!”—F6, Aged 70

“…if you're crossing roads and it gets run over or causes an accident, but I suppose…. Because it’s back just a couple of meters. There's the safety part of it, but […] the cars might not see. The cars are looking for pedestrians and cyclists, or whatever, aren't they? They're not necessarily looking for that…”– F4, Aged 63

“I’d probably be interested in that it could take the load off me. But I think I would have to choose my shopping times so that it would be quieter.”—F11, Aged 69

“If it's got four hours of charge and 12 miles possibly you wouldn't have to be in the position of it running out, unless you’ve forgotten to charge it! With that, well….! Because elderly people do tend to forget things.”—F3, Aged 76