Guidance and surroundings awareness in outdoor handheld augmented reality

Abstract

Handheld and wearable devices are becoming ubiquitous in our lives and augmented reality technology is stepping out of the laboratory environment and becoming ready to be used by anyone with portable devices. The success of augmented reality applications for pedestrians depends on different factors including a reliable guidance system and preventing risks. We show that different guidance systems can be supplementary to provide directions to a point of interest and offer clues that help the user find the augmented data when they get close to the location they have to visit. We tested the helpfulness of a map with the points of interest, an image preview of the next point of interest to visit, and an arrow showing the direction to it. The results show that the effectiveness of these guidance systems depend on the distance to the point of interest and the accuracy of the data obtained from the Global Positioning System. We also measured the total time that participants spent looking at the screen, as well as the perceived elapsed time as a measurement of real world dissociation. Finally, we discuss preliminary results to minimize the risk of accidents when using augmented reality applications in an outdoor urban environment. OPEN ACCESSCitation: Rovira A, Fatah gen Schieck A, Blume P, Julier S (2020) Guidance and surroundings awareness in outdoor handheld augmented reality. PLoS ONE 15(3): e0230518. https://doi.org/ 10.

Augmented Reality: Survey

“…They utilize the device's camera to capture real-world images and then overlay virtual information onto these images, which are displayed on the device's screen [54]. This type of AR typically relies on two main technologies: marker-based AR, which uses image recognition to identify specific visual markers (like QR codes), and markerless AR, which uses GPS, digital compass, velocity meter, or accelerometer data to provide location or motion cues [64]. Something interesting is that certain portable gaming systems, like the Nintendo 3DS, also include AR capabilities.…”

Exploring users' sense of safety in public using an Augmented Reality application

“…The same problem can be found in AR applications for tourism, where people have to look at their smartphone screens to interact with a Point of Interest (POI). Thus AR applications can be very engaging, but at the same time, this poses a risk regarding smartphone usage [4] [5]. Navigation is also another important area where AR is applied.…”

“…In addition, not only the own safety but also other peoples' and objects' should be considered safety-relevant. As Rovira et al pointed out, AR applications can be very engaging, and this is a desired effect in other digital media but a risk when it comes to AR on hand-held devices such as smartphones [4], [5]. Additionally, they measured in their work that participants spent, on average, 86% of time looking at their smartphone screen while walking [4].…”

“…As Rovira et al pointed out, AR applications can be very engaging, and this is a desired effect in other digital media but a risk when it comes to AR on hand-held devices such as smartphones [4], [5]. Additionally, they measured in their work that participants spent, on average, 86% of time looking at their smartphone screen while walking [4]. Safety in terms of distraction and awareness of things and people around has been barely researched, especially for pedestrian safety.…”