Using VR for Complex Product Design

Abstract

Virtual reality is a key technology for the designing of products through complex human-product interactions. This paper deals with the development of a product design method for complex human-product interactions, using the virtual reality (VR) technology. This VR method uses the graph theory in order for the complexity of the designed product to be measured on the basis of human task analysis. The latter is for the purpose of recording and analyzing the human-product interactions within an immersive simulation session. The proposed method undergoes tests in a realistic aerospace case.

Haptic and visual augmented reality interface for programming welding robots

“…In Ref. [1], a product design method using the virtual reality (VR) technology for complex human-product interactions is proposed. Mavrikios et al [2] investigated the use of VR-based methods to support human-integrated simulation for manual welding processes.…”

Designing in virtual environments: The integration of virtual reality tools into industrial design research and education

“…Conducting user observations and interviews in virtual environments has been used to allow people with cognitive and other impairments to describe their knowledge and experiences and evaluate designs (Wallergard et al, 2008) in ways that allow for more controlled testing and evaluation environments than physical mockups. Additionally, this tool enables visualizations to occur in context, virtual environments that reflect where the final design will be used (Grajewski et al, 2015;Rentzos et al, 2014), allowing access to difficult contexts or currently non-existent environments (Wallergård et al, 2008). Within these environments, designs can also be animated and visualized in motion with added sound and other effects, adding realism that can be difficult to achieve with physical properties alone.…”

“…Barriers to adopting VR as a blended learning tool are the users' ability to learn and engage with the new technologies (Kirkley & Kirkley 2015), as well as accessibility issues. However, if effectively taught, one of the primary drivers of VR prototyping is the reduced design development time and reduced costs when compared to physical prototyping (Caputu et al, 2017;Wallergård, et al, 2008), particularly during the early design stages (Rentzos et al, 2014) when multiple options may need to be explored, drastic changes happen often, and detail may not be sufficient to create physical properties.…”

“…While 3D CAD systems allow us to experience a design's shape, materials, movements etc. they do not allow for real-time interaction and immersion at scale in the way that VR environments do (Rentzos et al, 2014). This allows for more than just visualization but extends to allowing formative testing, experimentation, simulation and evaluation within the early stages of design.…”

“…Beyond the challenges and learning that is always present with new technologies, VR fits easily within product development as it is able to leverage these existing CAD development processes. In this way, VR evaluation can be seen as an extension of conventional CAD tools (Rentzos et al, 2014), with designers able to seamlessly move between these tools while using a common file language. This workflow offers a more direct experience of the object being designed and evaluated than forms of more abstract representation such as engineering drawings, sketches, or 3D models viewed on 2D displays.…”