2 Problems of Rapid Prototyping process Rapid Prototyping is the automatic construction of physical objects using technology. The first techniques for Rapid Prototyping became available in the late 1980s and were used to produce models and prototype parts. Today, they are used for a much wider range of applications and are even used to manufacture production-quality parts in relatively small nu...

This chapter explores the concept of patchwork prototyping the combining of open source software applications to rapidly create a rudimentary but fully functional prototype that can be used and hence evaluated in real life situations. The use of a working prototype enables the capture of more realistic and informed requirements than traditional methods that rely on users trying to imagine how t...

In this paper, we explore the characteristics of different prototyping techniques applied in interactive systems design. Our analysis applies the ‘cognitive dimensions’ framework, and is informed by an appreciation of four key activities within the design and development of software, namely: the authoring of design proposals; the validation of those proposals with users; implementations mediate...

This chapter explores the concept of patchwork prototyping: the combining of open source software applications to rapidly create a rudimentary but fully functional prototype that can be used and hence evaluated in real-life situations. The use of a working prototype enables the capture of more realistic and informed requirements than traditional methods that rely on users trying to imagine how ...

Recent developments in several emerging fields enable us to think of the fields of prototype for robotics and automation in new ways and to consider new applications. Today, besides introducing the intelligence directly into equipments/systems through embedded microcomputers and providing virtual prototyping through enhanced CAD/CAE facilities, information flow has been well regarded as an esse...

Quick prototyping of tangible user interfaces is currently hampered by availability of toolkits and the double challenge of tinkering with software and hardware. While software may be downloaded, hardware cannot. As a work-around for a class on experimental prototyping of tangible appliances we utilized the ARToolKit that tracks optical markers. By creatively adapting it, our students quickly d...

The development of a model for subsystem reuse and the evaluation of currently available rapid prototyping platforms has prompted the development of a GEneric Reusable Module (GERM). The GERM is a low-cost, stand-alone, reprogrammable development tool designed for prototyping reusable subsystems. The GERM, and associated templates, aid the designer in rapidly prototyping and reusing subsystem d...

“Traditional” prototyping is based on assumptions that are not – or only partially – valid for the development of Web-based applications. In this paper, the “traditional” approaches of prototyping are recalled, and the new conditions, difficulties and challenges of involving and communicating with the relevant actors as a way of gathering sound requirements in the context of Webprojects are exa...

Virtual prototyping is a relatively new field which is significantly changing the product development process. In many applications, virtual prototyping relies on virtual reality tools for analysis of designs. This paper presents an architecture for a virtual prototyping system which was created for the analysis of automotive interiors. This flexible and open architecture allows the integration...

Haptics in the form of vibrations in game interfaces have the potential to strengthen visual and audio components, and also improve accessibility for certain populations like people with deafblindness. However, building vibrotactile game interfaces is difficult and time consuming. Our research problem was how to make a prototyping tool that facilitated prototyping of vibrotactile game interface...