Design to demand – consumer based virtual reality

During the last few years there has been a dramatic change in the price performance ratio of computer technology. If this development continues, we can expect that, in the near future, we will be able to have a stereoscopic view of a product, using Internet applications together with stereoscopic consumer monitors. Furthermore, it will be possible, not only to touch the product virtually using force feedback input devices, but also to manipulate the product’s shape with new interaction metaphors. This chapter shows how a future client, without any technical or CAD background, will be able to influence the geometric shape of a product (e.g. a vehicle rim or a phone) using three dimensional Internet. In 10 years, this market triggered trend of demanding more individualised products, so called “Design to Demand”, will be one of the challenges for companies developing products.