From idea to prototype: Designing a CO2 detection sensor for industrial consumers using the Kano model and QFD’s House of Quality

CO2 detection sensors have a wide area of applicability in many industries, being extremely versatile and appreciated. When designing an innovative product, literature emphasizes that the voice of the customer is particularly important. Therefore, the purpose of the present study is to design a new detection sensor for industrial use by taking into consideration the requirements of its target audience. The methods used are the Kano model and the first matrix of the Quality Function Deployment (QFD) method, namely the House of Quality (HoQ). Nine representatives of different industry sectors from the Western part of Romania have completed a Kano and importance questionnaire, stating their viewpoint regarding 17 technical and design related characteristics of the sensor and sensor case. The results have been analyzed and transposed in the HoQ, where the design requirements have been hierarchized based on their importance. In the end, the prototype of the sensor case has been designed, providing the most relevant aspects expressed by the potential customers. The originality of the study resides in the fact that it applies specific quality tools in the design stage of a technical product intended for industrial use, validating their relevance in the final output.