Human-Centered Research Case Study | Embry-Riddle | 2021
Institution: Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University | Discipline: Human Factors | Tools: VR, CATIA, HMD
Enhancing Aircraft Design Through Human-Centered Virtual Reality
The aircraft design process is deeply collaborative, requiring alignment between diverse stakeholders, from engineers to end users. Traditional methods often fall short in helping teams visualize and interact with complex spatial designs. This case study investigates how virtual reality enhances human-centered design by improving communication, understanding, and decision-making throughout the development lifecycle.
This research confirms virtual reality’s growing value as a human-centered design tool in the aviation industry. By creating immersive, interactive environments, VR enables designers, engineers, and stakeholders to engage with aircraft concepts more intuitively and collaboratively. The result is faster iteration cycles, clearer communication of spatial and functional decisions, and stronger stakeholder alignment throughout the design process.
Moreover, VR supports deeper cognitive engagement, allowing users to better understand spatial relationships, system interactions, and user experiences before physical production. It reduces reliance on traditional mockups, lowers the barrier for cross-functional feedback, and fosters trust in early-stage proposals. As the technology matures, it holds promise not only for improving design efficiency but for transforming how humans collaborate on complex systems.
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