What is a prototype used for in engineering?

A prototype serves a crucial role in engineering by allowing engineers and designers to test a design concept in a tangible way. This hands-on experimentation is essential for evaluating the functionality, usability, and performance of a design before it moves to the final production stage. By creating a prototype, teams can identify any design flaws, gather user feedback, and make necessary adjustments to improve the overall effectiveness of the product. This iterative process of testing and refining is a fundamental aspect of successful engineering design.

Prototypes are not primarily used to document theoretical research outcomes, create a design brief, or simply improve existing technological products. Instead, they are fundamentally about testing and validating new ideas, allowing for informed decisions to be made during the design phase.