New Approaches to Conducting User Studies

Extraordinary times call for extraordinary approaches

How can user studies be conducted meaningfully and effectively without physical presence – especially during periods of contact restrictions? This was the question the Allround Team set out to answer. And the result was a forward‑looking solution.

While home office and online meetings became the new normal, the rules in retail and public spaces were clear: keep your distance, minimize contact. Yet it is precisely in such phases that understanding user needs becomes even more crucial. Even when product development slows down, one question remains central: How do people respond to new designs, functions, or interfaces? And how can we capture these reactions in a valid way?

Remote studies as the solution

The Allround Team adopted contactless study formats early on. Instead of inviting test participants into our facilities, we developed a system that enables participation from home – independently, flexibly, and safely. To do so, we relied on a technology our development team already had extensive experience with: Virtual Reality (VR).

VR as an immersive testing environment

The idea came quickly: we send VR headsets to test participants and let them immerse themselves in a simulation that presents the videos and concepts to be evaluated. The advantages are obvious:

• Realistic representation enables authentic reactions
• Standardized procedures ensure comparable results
• Contactless execution minimizes infection risks and increases flexibility

Challenges & solutions

The first prototype revealed two key challenges:

• Different levels of experience with VR – not all participants are familiar with the technology.
• No on‑site study moderation – responses need to be captured and documented automatically.

Our solution: a user‑friendly system that is intuitive to operate and equipped with an integrated recording function. This allows responses to be captured directly and transcribed later – without any physical supervision.

More than a technical solution

With expertise, empathy, and methodological rigor, we developed a system that not only works technically but is also thoughtfully designed from a social and psychological perspective. Test participants can take their time in a familiar environment, focus on the content, and share their impressions – without pressure and without haste.

For many, using a VR headset is a new experience, yet interest in innovative technologies is high. Our studies show that with the right guidance and a clear process, even complex testing scenarios can be conducted successfully in a remote setting.

Conclusion

Remote studies using VR are not just a response to pandemic‑related restrictions – they represent a step toward future‑ready research that is flexible, inclusive, and technologically advanced. And they demonstrate that even in extraordinary times, extraordinary insights are possible – when we are willing to explore new paths.