Kansei Engineering and Virtual Reality in Conceptual Design

Originality/value – The paper describes a conceptual design process focused on client emotions that integrates the Kansei methodology with virtual reality systems. Purpose – The virtual reality techniques, kinds of human-computer interfaces, and how the analyses in virtual reality environment can improve the conceptual design of products are described. The application of Kansei methodology and virtual reality techniques to the conceptual design of a multi-task equipment is also analysed. Methodology/approach – The followed approach consisted in three main phases: the use of Kansei methodology to identify the users emotional needs; the building of digital models through 3D CAD software; the evaluation of some prototypes by some users in the Virtual Reality laboratory of the “Dipartimento di Meccanica ” of Palermo, in order to choose the best concept. Findings – Kansei Engineering integrated with virtual reality turns out to be the technique that better satisfies the requirements of a collaborative and emotional design; in particular it may be used during the iterative phases of design and verification process, as it would allow to test the usability of various solutions in a very powerful, fast and easy way