Consumer adoption of autonomous delivery robots in cities: Implications on urban planning and design policies: Fid-Bau Portal

Consumer adoption of autonomous delivery robots in cities: Implications on urban planning and design policies

Koh, Le Yi / Yuen, Kum Fai

Abstract Five hundred survey responses on consumer acceptance of autonomous delivery robots (ADRs) were collected because the pandemic has increased the emphasis on contactless deliveries, spurring some interest in ADRs to perform last-mile deliveries in urban cities. To examine consumers' intention to adopt ADRs, a comprehensive theoretical model grounded on the Health Belief Model and Task-Technology Fit Model was presented and structural equation modeling was applied to examine the survey data. The analysis revealed that the constructs from both theories have significant effects on outcome expectations and task-technology fit. Additionally, outcome expectations and task-technology fit are strong predictors of consumers' intention, as indicated by their direct and indirect effects. Thus, this study enriches existing research by interpreting consumers' intention to adopt ADRs through health and technology perspectives. It also provides practical implications and policy recommendations for urban planning and design.

Highlights • Consumers' delivery preferences have changed during the pandemic. • Examines consumers' intention to adopt autonomous delivery robots (ADRs) from health and technology perspectives • Outcome expectations and task-technology fit are strong predictors of consumers' intention to adopt ADRs. • Provides insights regarding consumers' preferences to urban planning and design