Participatory design (PD) is a common design approach that emphasizes user involvement. However, communication barriers often exist between users and designers, or users may demonstrate low levels of participation. With the advancement of artificial intelligence, such issues in participatory design can be effectively addressed, while also contributing to conceptual innovation in design. Although large language models (LLMs) suffer from limitations such as a lack of precision, their powerful information retrieval capabilities complement the creative potential of Artificial Intelligence Generated Content (AIGC). Therefore, we propose an AI-driven participatory design, in which users, designers, and AI interact as three key agents. Methods such as Function–Behavior–Structure (FBS) are employed to enhance both the innovativeness and feasibility of conceptual design. Finally, a case study on the innovative design of an astronomical telescope is conducted to validate the effectiveness of the AI-driven participatory design approach.
Participatory design (PD) is a common design approach that emphasizes user involvement. However, communication barriers often exist between users and designers, or users may demonstrate low levels of participation. With the advancement of artificial intelligence, such issues in participatory design can be effectively addressed, while also contributing to conceptual innovation in design. Although large language models (LLMs) suffer from limitations such as a lack of precision, their powerful information retrieval capabilities complement the creative potential of Artificial Intelligence Generated Content (AIGC). Therefore, we propose an AI-driven participatory design, in which users, designers, and AI interact as three key agents. Methods such as Function–Behavior–Structure (FBS) are employed to enhance both the innovativeness and feasibility of conceptual design. Finally, a case study on the innovative design of an astronomical telescope is conducted to validate the effectiveness of the AI-driven participatory design approach.
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This study was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China [No. 52475248].
Donghua University, Shanghai, 201600, China
Luzhen Wang & Zhongliang Yang
Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, Hangzhou, 311100, China
Xiaoyun Du
Authors
Correspondence to Zhongliang Yang.
School of Mechanical Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
Jianrong Tan
School of Mechanical Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
Zhenyu Liu
Mechanical Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
Weifei Hu
© 2027 The Chinese Mechanical Engineering Society
Wang, L., Yang, Z., Du, X. (2027). An AI-Driven Participatory Design Approach Connecting Users and Designers in Product Design Processes. In: Tan, J., Liu, Z., Hu, W. (eds) Advances in Mechanical Design. ICMD 2025. Mechanisms and Machine Science, vol 206. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-95-7904-4_110
Download citationDOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-95-7904-4_110
Published: 25 June 2026
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