Prototyping to elicit user requirements for product development: Using head-mounted augmented reality when designing interactive devices

Designers of interactive devices are challenged by the need to accurately elicit user requirements from low-cost prototypes at the early stages of the design process. Head-mounted augmented reality (AR) can potentially assist in this process by economically representing physical-digital blended features with relatively high-fidelity prototypes. To explore this potential, we present and evaluate a head-mounted AR-enhanced hybrid prototyping system created in the context of a fan product development process. We conducted a mixed-methods study comparing the AR-enhanced prototyping method with a conventional prototyping method. The results reveal that the AR system can elicit similar user requirements as the conventional prototyping method with an improved overall experience.