Perspectives on robust design – an overview of challenges and research areas across industry fields

Abstract Robust Design offers a coherent and widely appreciated approach for the parametric exploration of the design space by means of simulation or experimentation, which is well-established in the quality-by design domain. From the perspective of design research, however, this only addresses a relatively narrow part of the design process and is not fully integrated with other design decisions such as concept exploration, the suitable configuration of system elements, or the design of interfaces. Particularly in light of the growing importance of developing technologically advanced and “smart” systems, it seems that a new methodical perspective on Robust Design is needed. Against this background, this paper consolidates knowledge and insights from different research fields and industry sectors. On this basis, new angles to the discussion on product robustness in different domains are explored in order to suggests directions for action and new research areas, both with respect to a methodical RD approach as well as the question of systematic research procedures.