Developing a User-Centered VR Platform for Applying Robotic Furniture

The rapid population growth and urbanization trends pose challenges in creating livable spaces for the growing global population. This research explores the integration of robotic furniture (RF), a type of architectural robotics (AR) into buildings to address this issue. By utilizing virtual reality (VR) technology, the study aims to understand how people respond to RF in comparison to traditional architectural walkthroughs and how RF affects their acceptance. The problem that needs to be solved with this VR platform is to overcome the limitations of traditional design and evaluation methods in architecture and interior design of RF. A working prototype of a virtual world is developed with different RF such as beds, walls, desks, and different RF configurations. A survey is created to assess user perceptions of RF in buildings, this survey focuses on user engagement, interaction, customization, immersion, and satisfaction using a Likert scale rating system. The findings highlight the high level of engagement and immersion experienced by users, as well as the significance of customization and exploration of different apartment configurations. Users expressed satisfaction and enjoyment with the VR experience, emphasizing the potential applications of RF in real-world scenarios. An ANOVA statistical analysis was made to evaluate the differences between participants with prior VR experience and no prior experience, showing that the users with prior VR experience valued the VR platform more and praised the use of RF in the design processes.