• 097597 - VIRTUAL PROTOTYPING METHODS (I.C. MODULE)

VIRTUAL PROTOTYPING METHODS - Prof. Monica Bordegoni
The objective of the course is to provide students knowledge on the most up-to-date methods and technologies for the development of virtual prototypes of industrial products. The course explains how virtual prototypes are effective for the test and validation of products before their physical production. They can be used for testing aesthetic and functional properties, and for validating usability and ergonomic issues. Virtual prototypes can be used in the early phases of concept design, and also through the whole product life cycle, even for testing manufacturing, maintenance and disposal issues. The course describes and demonstrates Virtual/Augmented Reality (AR/VR) technologies that can be used for the development of Virtual Prototypes.
 
HAPTICS - Prof. Francesco Ferrise
The aim of the course is to provide students with the basic knowledge to understand the way the already available haptic technologies work, how they can be integrated into virtual and augmented reality environments and into interactive interfaces. Furthermore, the basic knowledge to design and develop simple custom technologies is provided. In addition to the functioning and the design of haptic technologies, the course aims to provide students with the fundamentals to help them to decide how to effectively use and integrate these technologies in different application areas such as industrial, biomedical, entertainment, etc.
Both courses will also provide students with the tools to research information in the scientific literature, as these topics are constantly evolving.

The lessons and the labs will help the student to:

- understand how the available technologies work. Also, students will learn how technologies have evolved in years, and how they are going to change to in the future.

- how to effectively use these technologies as a support to problem-solving in several areas such as industrial, biomedical, entertainment, and others.

- understand how technologies can be integrated to create a multisensory simulation, whenever the problem to be solved requires technologies integration.

Technologies are the following:

- Visual display, Auditory and Olfactory display in VIRTUAL PROTOTYPING METHODS - Prof. Monica Bordegoni
- Haptic/Tactile in HAPTICS - Prof. Francesco Ferrise

VIRTUAL PROTOTYPING METHODS - Prof. Monica Bordegoni

After the exam, the student:

- knows the basic terms and principles related to Virtual Prototyping methods and VR/AR technologies for Virtual Prototyping;

- is able to select the useful principles for obtaining solutions to problems related to the use of Virtual Prototyping in several domains, including industrial and medical sectors;

- can handle problems not strictly related to the issues addressed in the specific degree course by taking motivated decisions. She/ he is also able to communicate clearly and convincingly the adopted solutions;

- can autonomously operate and communicate the design choices made.

HAPTICS - Prof. Francesco Ferrise

After the exam, the student:

- knows the basic terms and principles related to the sense of touch and of haptic/tactile technologies;

- is able to select the useful principles for obtaining solutions to problems related to the use of the sense of touch in industrial, biomedical, entertainment, etc. applications;

- can handle problems not strictly related to the issues addressed in the specific degree course by taking motivated decisions. She/ he is also able to communicate clearly and convincingly the adopted solutions;

- can autonomously operate and communicate the design choices made.

VIRTUAL PROTOTYPING METHODS - Prof. Monica Bordegoni

1.    Definition of Virtual Prototyping and examples in several domains. Virtual Prototyping used for the aesthetic, functional and ergonomic validation of products.
2.    Virtual Prototyping in the product development process.
3.    State of the art of digital technologies for the development of Virtual Prototyping: realistic 3D real-time visualization technology, tracking technology, interaction devices, sensors and actuators, olfactory technology, Reverse Engineering and Additive Manufacturing technologies.
The course also includes laboratory activities where the students will have the poossibility to practice state of the art technologies for virtual prototyping, individually or in group with other students.
 
The books suggested in the Reference Section will be integrated with handouts, notes and technical and scientific articles provided by the Lecturers.

HAPTICS - Prof. Francesco Ferrise

1 - The sense of touch and its integration with other human senses.
2 - Haptic techniques and technologies (software and hardware): available force-feedback and tactile technologies and their integration into virtual and augmented reality applications. Available libraries to control force-feedback devices, and tactile interfaces. Sensors, actuators and control algorithms to design haptic technologies.
3 - Applications including the sense of touch: the use of the sense of touch in various areas: industrual, biomedical, entertainment, etc.
The course includes laboratory activities carried out in the Virtual Prototyping Lab, where students will be able to practice individually or in group, using state of the art technologies to build devices and applications based on haptic interaction. 
 
The books suggested in the Reference Section will be integrated with handouts, notes and technical and scientific articles provided by the Lecturers.

Use of CAD modeling tools.

Basics of programming.

The exam consists in the development and discussion of a project, developed by the students individually or in groups, and decided in agreement with the Lecturer/Lecturers.
For those students attending both parts of the course, the project can be one, including topics of Virtual Prototyping Methods and of Haptics.
Students will be asked to discuss their project through a demo, a presentation and a short technical report.
 
VIRTUAL PROTOTYPING METHODS - Prof. Monica Bordegoni

The exam will aim to evaluate the following requirements:

- knowledge of the terminology and basic principles related to Virtual Prototyping and enabling technologies;

- the ability to find solutions to problems related to the use of Virtual Prototyping in application areas such as industrial and medical.

- ability to handle problems not strictly related to the issues addressed in the degree course by taking motivated decisions, and also the ability to communicate it clearly and convincingly;

- ability to make design choices independently and to communicate them.
 
HAPTICS - Prof. Francesco Ferrise

The exam will aim to evaluate the following requirements:

- knowledge of the terminology and basic principles related to the sense of touch and haptic/tactile technologies;

- the ability to find solutions to problems related to the use of the sense of touch in application areas such as industrial, biomedical, entertainment, etc.;

- ability to handle problems not strictly related to the issues addressed in the degree course by taking motivated decisions, and also the ability to communicate it clearly and convincingly;

- ability to make design choices independently and to communicate them.