Assessment of Virtual Reality Environments for design activities

The aim of this research is the performance assessment of 3D visualization and interaction devices for design activities. Experiments are expected to determine the virtual environments that best fit the dedicated activities. Classification of technologies is proposed on the basis of its apparent relevance to reach intuitive support to the design activity but a method to provide a more complete and objective assessment is proposed. To check the proposed assessment method, a simple assembly activity has been selected as a use case where the use of stereoscopic screen versus classical 2D display on one hand and an haptic arm with versus without force feedback on the other hand must be compared. Experimental measures are performed by the use of objective sensors: duration and gesture instability along the task are tracked. The comparison was done on the assembly of the jig and fixture system. The experimental measures are analysed both with their absolute values and their evolution when training users. This paper is a positioning paper where the intention is to build a framework where more abstract qualification of virtual environments may be extracted: intuitiveness, tangibility, ergonomic and by thequalification of virtual environments may be extracted: intuitiveness, tangibility, ergonomic and by the end utility should be the final assessment. keywords: Virtual Reality, Design, Intuitiveness, Tangibility, Usability, Utility.