Creating new products and services requires multiple steps. One of the most crucial is developing a prototype. A prototype is a draft version of a product. It assists designers in testing multiple concepts. Traditionally, prototypes were tangible.
And their creation required investment in both time and resources. In the current age, new forms of virtual technologies allow for a powerful new approach, the Virtual Prototyping. Let’s learn about this technology, and how it can be helpful for your business.
What is Virtual Prototyping?
Virtual prototyping is the application of computer technologies to product design. It is the creation of various “virtual” or digital models of products. These models can be visualized and interacted with on screen by the designers. To begin with, it is not necessary to have a physical object. Virtual Prototyping employs tools like Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR).
- Virtual Reality (VR): VR immerses the user in an entirely computer-generated environment. Designers can wear head-mounted displays and look around the simulated product prototype within a virtual 3D space. They are virtually-able to ‘walk’ all around the product, inspect it from various angles, and examine every feature as it would exist in real life.
- Augmented Reality (AR): AR overlays virtual objects in the real world. It might be experienced through phones or special glasses. It allows the designer to visualize a virtual product in the actual environment. For instance, a designer can position a mock-up of a new chair in an actual image of a living room.
These technologies also create and foster engaging interactive 3D models. These twins behave like the actual product would.
The Challenge of Physical Models
Creating a physical model or prototype comes with constraints. These models incur costs to construct, the required materials can be costly, and the building process consumes valuable time, particularly if multiple iterations are needed. Further, sharing tangible models and obtaining user feedback from distant locations is cumbersome. Users have to be physically present to properly interact with the model to provide meaningful feedback.
Through the implementation of virtual prototypes, a company can swiftly and effortlessly realize various concepts, thus resolving a multitude of problems. In addition, external feedback becomes much simpler, subsequently enhancing innovation speed while simultaneously minimizing reliance on physical models.
What Are The Advantages Of Virtual Prototypes?
The ability to utilize virtual technology with tangible objects allows for efficient and straightforward maneuverability throughout the various stages of production. Subsequently, a transparent change is observed in the overall life cycle of the product.
1. Design cycle acceleration
Modification of digital models happens in a few clicks. Designers can change shapes, sizes, and even colors at their will. There is no waiting period for a new physical build. This leads to multiple iterations in less time and additional testing to be conducted. Exploration of ideas and possibilities increases and the design process is faster.
2. Reduction of expenditures
Virtual prototypes avert the requirement for a physical model. There is a decrease in waste. Lower material models translate into economical models. Although physical tools are an initial expense, the long term savings become apparent especially in complex products. Digitally testing varying designs avoids the costly process of physical trial and error.
3. Remote teamwork enhancement
Virtual models are readily accessible to all members. Team members can access them from any location. Shared virtual platforms allow members to collaboratively discuss the design and provide insights around the digital model. The product vision can be communicated without misunderstanding, leading to greatly improved communication. Remote work is drastically simplified.
4. Improving Visualization and Comprehension
Virtual tools offer a rich understanding. Designers are able to visualize the product in different settings. For instance, they can perform predictive image simulations of your product to view its various appearances well before the final stage. AR allows users to visualize the conception within their space.
This aids in comprehending the product’s dimensions and scale in relation to real world objects, far surpassing what is doable with mere drawings or photos.
5. Ergonomics and Usability Testing at an Earlier Stage
VR enables testing of human interaction with a product. For example, designers can simulate a user interacting with the product using a vehicle and check for button reach on the dashboard. They can evaluate the comfortability of holding the tool.
Resolving usability concerns in the early stages will avert expensive modifications at a later stage. Also, users can test the prototypes virtually and their designs can be modified based on that input prior to production.
6. Testing Product Performance
Virtual prototypes provide easement for connection to simulation software. It becomes possible with designers working on testing products that they might perform. For instance, designers can test airflow around a car body before actual construction.
They can perform stress tests and evaluate the strength of parts. These digital tests remove the necessity for physical performance tests.
Tools and Technologies Involved
Dedicated tools are required for constructing virtual prototypes.
- Computer-Aided Design (CAD) Software: This is the starting step. Designers develop a detailed 3D representation of the product.
- VR Headsets and Gloves: Oculus Rift, HTC Vive, and some others place the users inside the virtual model. Interaction with the digital object is possible through special gloves.
- AR Devices: Smart phones, tablets, and AR glasses such as HoloLens projects three-dimensional computer images integrated with the physical environment.
- Visualization Software: Other dedicated software prepares the CAD models for use in VR and AR while making sure it looks realistic, interactable, and can be simulated with.
All of these tools function together to accomplish one goal; bridging the space between design and virtual examination.
The Virtual Prototyping Process
How does virtual prototyping work in practice? The process usually follows these steps:
- Digital Design: Formulate a 3D CAD model of the product in detail.
- Virtual Model Preparation: Change the CAD model to a VR or AR compatible file. Make it ready for real-time streaming. Texture it and light it.
- Interaction Setup: Specify the actions that can be performed by the users on the interaction model. This can be turning doors, pushing buttons, or attaching components.
- Virtual Review: Participants can analyze the prototype through VR or AR. clients, designers and engineers can navigate a three-dimensional model of the structure. They assess its form, function, and feel. This step usually contains preemptive image simulations of your product where it is checked for appearance.
- Testing and Feedback: In a virtual environment, conduct usability tests with intended users. Collect reviews on the design and user experience.
- Refinement: Change the CAD model according to the evaluations and feedback. The virtual review routine is conducted until the model is accepted.
This cycle is faster than traditional techniques. However, it still provides ample opportunity for modifications.
Challenges to Consider
While virtual prototyping is revolutionary, it comes with its own set of challenges.
- Initial Investment: Acquiring VR/AR hardware and software usually has a steep initial cost.
- Skill Requirements: The workforce has to be trained to adapt to the new technology. There has to be a blend of CAD skills with knowledge of visualization software.
- Tactile Feedback Limits: Models cannot be physically interacted with. Weighing, touching or even conditioning a product is mostly impossible. Though haptic feedback technology is advancing, it is not very far.
- Visual Accuracy: The virtual representation requires meticulous adjustment of proportions, hue, and texture to ensure correspondence with the actual item.
Businesses have to take all these points into consideration. They have to determine whether the advantages make the investment and work worthwhile.
The Future is Virtual
Over the years, we have witnessed the development of advanced technologies. At present, the cost of devices associated with virtual or augmented reality (VR and AR) is declining. Automatic computer software (AI) can now be interfaced with system architecture, with immense computational capabilities boosting the performance of the software, rendering deep system integration possible.
The revolutionary ability to simulate the creation, testing, and refinement of physical products digitally changes product development processes entirely. It fosters innovation aimed at User Experience (UX) by offering eclectic design solutions.
Businesses utilizing these advanced tools can establish a formidable competitive edge in the market. For the purposes of product design, it can be concluded that virtual prototyping is not a passing trend, but rather a necessary evolutionary step.
While challenges exist, the advantages of incorporating virtual technology in prototype designing are irrefutable. This enhances creativity while simplifying the process of innovating for businesses in a way never seen before and transforming the way products of the future will be developed.
