Abstract: A method and facility for conducting consumer product research, including the steps of configuring a mock environment so as to test a product in a desired context, placing at least one consumer within the mock environment for testing the product, and collecting information during testing of the product. The facility further includes an area for remotely controlling the information collecting means, as well as at least one area for directly observing the mock environment. The mock environment typically simulates one or more rooms in a house, but can be configured to simulate other places where consumer activity takes place such as a store. The facility is also able to be configured for the demographics of a particular consumer panel, hosting a specified event, and testing a prototype device.