Comparing Desktop vs. Mobile Interaction for the Creation of Pervasive Augmented Reality Experiences

Abstract

This paper presents an evaluation and comparison of interaction methods for the configuration and visualization of pervasive Augmented Reality (AR) experiences using two different platforms: desktop and mobile. AR experiences consist of the enhancement of real-world environments by superimposing additional layers of information, real-time interaction, and accurate 3D registration of virtual and real objects. Pervasive AR extends this concept through experiences that are continuous in space, being aware of and responsive to the user’s context and pose. Currently, the time and technical expertise required to create such applications are the main reasons preventing its widespread use. As such, authoring tools which facilitate the development and configuration of pervasive AR experiences have become progressively more relevant. Their operation often involves the navigation of the real-world scene and the use of the AR equipment itself to add the augmented information within the environment. The proposed experimental tool makes use of 3D scans from physical environments to provide a reconstructed digital replica of such spaces for a desktop-based method, and to enable positional tracking for a mobile-based one. While the desktop platform represents a non-immersive setting, the mobile one provides continuous AR in the physical environment. Both versions can be used to place virtual content and ultimately configure an AR experience. The authoring capabilities of the different platforms were compared by conducting a user study focused on evaluating their usability. Although the AR interface was generally considered more intuitive, the desktop platform shows promise in several aspects, such as remote configuration, lower required effort, and overall better scalability.

Technological Immersion and Delegation to Virtual Agents

“…o Similar levels of engagement but higher probability of the simulator sickness in video game playing [64]. o Similar performance in manipulating a virtual object's basic spatial properties such as its position, orientation, and scale [60]. o Similar performance in memory rehabilitation in an afterstroke virtual exercise [65] Table 1.…”

Advanced Scene Perception for Augmented Reality

“…Madeira et al [ 3 ] describe the concept of pervasive AR as an extension of traditional AR to experiences that are continuous in space, aware of and responsive to the user’s context and pose. They introduce a process of acquiring 3D scans of an environment that are then used in an AR-experience editing environment.…”