Exploring benefits of using augmented reality for usability testing

This study explores if augmented reality can be used to get a better feedback for usability testing. Augmented reality is being used in various fields like entertainment, medicine, etc., but this technology’s use for product development has been very limited. This study specifically explores if it could be used for product usability testing. For this study, a product that is already in the market will be used. First, the usability of the product was tested using traditional method, i.e., asking user to accomplish a specific task using that product and then gaining feedback using a questionnaire asking them about their opinions. Then the same product was modeled for augmented reality environment and then a different set of users were asked to accomplish the same task in AR environment. Same questionnaire was provided to these users for feedback. After that, the feedback received using the two methods was compared. The hypothesis presented in this thesis says that using augmented reality can help get a better or similar usability feedback as compared to traditional usability testing. This method might help reduce the cost of usability testing conducted on a large scale by reducing the need to have a fully developed product for testing. It will help in identifying usability issues before a product has been fully developed and thus, reducing the development cost.M.S

ID6101 Airline Aisle Chair re-design

Aisle Chair Project Summary - Team 2ID6101 in Spring 2013 engaged various stakeholders to assess and re-design aisle chairs used to transport persons with disabilities onto and off of aircraft. These are the executive summaries from each Team.Stephen Sprigl

Spheroids in cancer research: recent advances and opportunities

In recent years, three-dimensional (3D) spheroid technology has emerged as a crucial instrument in the realm of cancer research, offering a near-physiological model for probing human cancers. By faithfully replicating organ architecture and functionality, spheroids furnish a versatile platform for addressing a spectrum of clinical and biomedical inquiries, encompassing pharmacology and disease pathophysiology. Their distinct advantage over conventional two-dimensional (2D) cell cultures lies in their capacity to emulate the 3D extracellular microenvironment and attributes characteristic of solid tumors, including architectural intricacies, gene expression profiles, and secretion of soluble mediators. Derived effectively from both normal and malignant patient tissues, spheroids facilitate the modeling of cancer progression, mutation dynamics, and carcinogenesis pathways. Moreover, spheroid technology expedites drug screening processes and personalized therapeutic interventions. Although challenges persist in accurately recapitulating the immune system within spheroid models, the co-culturing of spheroids with lymphocytes holds significant promise for immunotherapy applications. This comprehensive examination outlines diverse methodologies for establishing and characterizing spheroids, highlighting their extensive utilization in oncology. The manuscript underscores the immense promise of 3D spheroids in cancer research, paving the way for an uprising in the understanding and management of cancer, with abundant opportunities for further investigation and progress in treatment approaches.<br/