Virtual Reality in Design Methods: Case Study of an Automotive Design Product

The design of a product consists of several stages to be carried out in sequence until the result is achieved, some of them are performed trough the help of CAD software. This design step is very rigorous with as little margin for error as possible, and it often goes to make a clean break from other stages that precede it. On the other hand, virtual reality technology is certainly an element of interest within various design areas. One of the most promising uses of this type of technology is in the visualization and review of products in the design process. But in this paper we will see a next step compared to this just described, that is, the application of virtual reality within the design making itself. By delving into the design timeline, we will then go on to explore how this technology can provide support not limited to visualization alone, but extended to modeling, what possibilities can be offered by the realization of three-dimensional surfaces, modeled already at the correct scale, and how these aspects can be efficiently integrated within a methodology, assessing variations in timing and quality of work. We will also try to intercept any downsides to try to get a clear understanding of what possibilities could be offered soon by this technology and whether indeed these types of processes can replace current methods, established for years.