The research in Product Design Engineering / Integrerated product development at University of Skövde is currently divided into two main subdivisions.
User Centered Product Design
The main objective of this research group is to identify, develop and refine methods to improve integration of user aspects in modern product development processes. More specifically this involves the integration of products' emotional and ergonomic qualities with technical, functional values in the product development process, and how IT and computer tools can aid this integration.
Academic partners in this research are Chalmers University of Technology, Lund University and Loughborough University in England. Main industrial partners are Volvo Powertrain, Volvo Cars, Saab Automobile. The research group has connections to Virtual Ergonomics Centre www.vec.se
Materials Selection and Design
The research objective is to gain knowledge in relations between material selection, design, marketing and sustainable development, and how this affects the product develeopment activity.
More information about the User Centered Product Design research group
More information about the Materials Selection and Design research group