Compelling survey results reveal our attitudes to modern technology

10 November 2014

Channel 4 has conducted a survey ahead of its new six-part comedy series, Bad Robots, E4 at 10pm, Tuesday 11th November, which takes a compelling look at our increased reliance on machines and continued exasperation with them, using new technology to create hilariously infuriating situations and computer-generated pranks. 

Asking 998 Channel 4 viewers if they were more patient with technology or people, an incredible 31% said they have more patience when it comes to machines, whilst just two in 30 people surveyed said they would prefer to interact with a machine instead of a person.

Over half those asked deemed self-service check-outs at supermarkets as the most frustrating of modern technology, with ticket machines at train/bus stations taking a quarter of the vote.

Bad Robots sees fictional company Tezcorp Industries start a technological revolt with the eponymous Bad Robot (voiced by Sir Michael Gambon) leading the mission to create chaos. A host of demonic robots, from argumentative vending machines to patently biased pub quiz machines, abusive electronic road signs to a spray tan booth that loves to spray you (but not the colour you want…) are all intent on giving their human users a really hard time – and – all with side-splitting consequences.

Clip here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=grysxoyevJM&feature=youtu.be

 

Full survey results below:

Q1. How much do you agree or disagree with the following statements?

 

	NET DISAGREE	Neither agree nor disagree	NET AGREE
Modern technology always makes my life easier	12%	23%	65%
I am often more patient with technology than I am with people	40%	28%	31%
I often get frustrated with modern technology	40%	23%	38%

 

Q2. Which of the following technology, if any, do you find frustrating?

 

Self-service check-outs at supermarkets	57%
Ticket machines at train/bus stations	25%
Ticket Machines at car parks	18%
Vending machines	16%
Photo Booths	12%
None of the above	26%

 

Q3. Thinking specifically about technology such as ticket machines and self-service check-outs, which of the following do you most agree with?

 

I prefer to interact with people instead of machines	51%
I prefer to interact with a machines instead of people	15%
I don't mind	34%

 

Source: Channel 4 Viewer Insight Panel core4. Base 998 respondents.