A robust design research landscape - Review on the importance of design research for achieving product robustness

Abstract

The strive for design principles, qualitative and quantitative design tools, and product development methodologies that enable and support the design of robust products, that is products which are insensitive to noise and variation, is an ongoing challenge for both practitioners and academics. This paper reviews and classifies recent research efforts dedicated to robust design originating from the design society and carves out important challenges and potentials for future research. The main novelty of the paper can be found in the structured analysis and classification of recent robust design efforts as well as in the systematic elaboration of future research challenges, which seeks to stimulate a discussion on future tasks and challenges in robust design research.