Product Testing & Prototyping in XR

This research evaluates the added value of extended reality (XR) in product design by introducing the ExperienceDNA framework for VR-based evaluations.

Employing the Wizard of Oz methodology, we test a variety of interactions in virtual environments to explore both virtual sketching and evaluation methods, notably virtual user testing.

We explore two primary use cases:

1. a smart city project that integrates VR into prototyping interactive systems

2. a smart kitchen scenario enhanced with tactile feedback

Through a comparative analysis—assessing realism, interactivity, functionality, presence, and task difficulty—this research investigates the extent to which XR simulations can replicate and inform real-life user experiences. Additionally, the incorporation of physiological measurements (GSR and heart rate) and eye tracking offers data-driven insights into user behaviour. The findings delineate the benefits and drawbacks of using XR as a user-testing tool in the context of smart product evaluations. 

Publications

Joundi, J., Baccarne, B., Robaeyst, B., Bombeke, K., De Marez, L., & Saldien, J. (2024). Comparing virtual and real-life rapid prototyping methods for user testing smart city interfaces : a case study. APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL, 14(20). https://doi.org/10.3390/app14219918