Methodology for Immersive Emotional Assessment of Virtual Product Design by Customers

Abstract

This paper presents a novel, integrated methodology for customer-centered emotional assessment of future products during the early conceptual design stages. This methodology integrates the technologies of Virtual Reality and emotion recognition in the simultaneous, interconnected processes of product development and market research. Its goal is to provide relevant emotional customer feedback during the interactive experience of only virtually existing conceptual product designs at early development stages. In this way, the company can identify which product designs would be suitable for future products. The novelty aspect of the methodology lies in the structured integration of experts from various disciplines with specific roles. It enables the often neglected holistic approach to the task. Each participant can identify best solutions to problems from their area of expertise and contribute to solving interface problems in a synergetic manner. The presented validation study proved the coherence of the methodology and showed clear preferences for concrete technological solutions regarding the state of the art and the future potentials.