Product Upgradability for Satisfying Future Performance, Low Price and Environmental Loads, and Manufacturer Profitability Throughout the Product Lifecycle

Design upgradability aims to replace only those components that devalue the product over time. Therefore, it enhances product value and avoids whole product replacement, thereby realizing a sustainable society. This paper proposes a method for upgradability design that meets the required future product performance criteria and enhances their functions. This is done while lowering the price and environmental load and increasing the profitability for manufacturers throughout the product lifecycle.