VR-Smart Home: Prototyping of a user centered design system

Abstract

In this paper, we propose a prototype of a user centered design system for Smart Homes which lets users: (1) configure different interactive tasks, and (2) express activity specifications and preferences during the design process. The main objective of this paper is how to create and to implement VR Smart Home prototype as a platform to increase user contribution in the earliest phases of design. The presented prototype has the capability of visualizing smart technologies (Smart BIM), performing real-time interactions and tasks (Smart Design System), and revealing users' preferences (Activity Preference plug-in). The long-term goal of developing this prototype is to bridge the gap between the designers and the clients in a Smart Home design process. Eventually, it is expected that the research will lead to match Smart Home functionalities with users' demands and therefore an improved user acceptance of Smart Homes. © 2012 Springer-Verlag.