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The exterior design is one of the most important selling propositions in the automotive premium market. Because of progressing digitization in the automotive industry, it is increasingly assessed using virtual 3D models. In this context, Virtual Reality (VR) is a key technology of continuously growing importance. However, complicated interaction in VR proves to be a major drawback in industrial settings. In this paper, we report insights of our user centered approach aiming at appropriate VR interaction techniques supporting designers, engineers, and management executives optimally in design assessment. Our approach splits into two iterations according to the main interaction tasks Visual Inspection and Model Comparison. In each iteration, alternative interaction techniques were conceptualized, implemented as prototypes, and evaluated in a user study in terms of Usability, User Experience, Intuitiveness and Task Load. In the first iteration six interaction techniques for Visual Inspection, two speech-based, two gesture-based, and two touch-based variants, were studied. Incorporating the results, the second iteration explores three interaction techniques for Model Comparison utilizing (1) a portable touch remote, (2) hand and body gestures, and (3) a multimodal mix of both. The final concepts yielded high ratings by the participants, but showed significant differences between rational and emotional aspects. We conclude that the acceptance of VR in automotive design could be facilitated by refining and applying these interaction techniques.

In their respective design processes automobile manufacturers use more and more virtual prototyping. Today, even some design decisions are made, based on purely digital vehicle models. This is a report of a recent study, which was done with a German car manufacturer, that has looked into different academic disciplines besides computer science, to find new ways to vitalize and stage digital vehicle models. Usability engineering, psychology, dramatics, and theater teaching were consulted. As a result a novel workflow pattern is proposed, exemplarily conceptualized for Design Reviews of automobiles. It embeds the use of Virtual Reality (VR) or Mixed Reality (MR) between Briefing and Debriefing phases, to give the users a chance for preparing and postprocessing the digital experience. This workflow pattern and its pragmatic conception are introduced in this paper.

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