A web-based fuzzy mass customization system

Mass customization attempts to give customers the product they want, when and where they want it, at a cost comparable to that of mass-produced goods. With the increasing popularity of the Internet and broadband, it is now possible to let mass household consumers be involved in the design of a product that reflects their preferences or personalities. As such an application is targeted at the general public, a descriptive or linguistic input style is preferred. The concept of fuzzy customization is therefore proposed and investigated. A prototype system is implemented on a web client/server architecture, namely CyberFGC, which consists of a fuzzy geometric customization (FGC) program, Virtual Reality Modeling Language (VRML), and common gateway interface (CGI) programs. In this system, household consumers can customize products using their preferred linguistic description such as big, small, normal, etc., over the World Wide Web. Examples of customization of wine glasses and furniture are described in detail.