This research examined the role of virtual reality (VR) in decision making, specifically with respect to product design. The ability of VR technology to display 3D models and allow users to naturally interact with the models as if they were physical prototypes presents a new environment for design teams to discuss design decisions early in the design process. This research leveraged VR to create a collaborative design environment which combined both descriptive (visual) and normative (mathematical) approaches to design. This approach enhances decision making among a diverse design team composed of members with distinct areas of specialization by providing many types of visual information within the same design tool. A user study was conducted that evaluated how people would use VR to make decisions about disassembly sequence planning. Results suggest that VR environments enhanced with visual representations of the underlying mathematical models hold strong potential for aiding in early design decision making.

The research also examined the use of virtual reality technology as a communication tool in early design decision making through a case study approach involving a design team from a local company. Observations, interviews, and focus groups were conducted to evaluate the effect of using VR in decision making in early product design. The results clearly show that the team identified design issues and potential solutions that were not identified or verified using traditional computer tools. The design changes that were the outcome of the experience were implemented in the final product design. Finally, participants commented on how the immersive VR environment encouraged an increased sense of team engagement that led to better discussions and fuller participation of the team members in the decision process.

Finally, a user study of industry use of virtual reality in product design was conducted. In total, on-site visits with 18 companies using VR were conducted as well as remote conference calls with two others. Over 62 people across numerous companies from varying disciplines and perspectives were interviewed. The results of that study indicate that VR is being actively used in a number of industries to support decision making and enable innovation. Some of the common use cases include visibility/viewability, ergonomics/reachability, packaging, aesthetic quality/craftsmanship, storytelling, and abstract data visualization. One of the most commonly cited benefit of using VR in decision making is its ability to facilitate communication among design team members early in the design process, leading to better designs and fewer design changes throughout the design process.

Several undergraduate and graduate students were supported by this grant. Working on this research gave them increased insight into VR technology and its use in decision making in product design. Students authored journal papers and presented at conferences as a result of this research grant.

Throughout the project, several outreach activities served to broaden the impact of the research. Specifically, VR was used in both engineering and industrial design courses. In these courses, students work in teams to design products. Students were introduced to the technology and encouraged to use the technology as a decision making tool during the design process. During one semester, engineering and industrial design students were put on teams together and asked to critique a design using VR tools. Here again, students commented on the enhanced ability to communicate ideas that the VR technology supports.

Last Modified: 10/13/2015
Modified by: Judy M Vance