Towards the Evaluation of Augmented Reality in the Metaverse: Information Presentation Modes

Abstract

In the future, many activities will be carried out in the Metaverse: hybrid offices and video-based education are just some examples. The way research is carried out could change, too. In this context, this work investigates the possibility of simulating Augmented Reality (AR) user studies on information presentation in a virtual environment. Organizing an industrial setup is complex; thus, most studies are executed in laboratories. However, lab experiments present limitations, e.g., the number and variety of participants and the availability of facilities. User studies may also be carried out by exploiting simulated AR, as an initial step for the Metaverse, where people are connected regardless of their location. This alternative could be used to carry out experiments on AR information presentation to solve common issues, such as the lack of physical equipment to perform component location tasks and the long time required to collect a large sample of users. Indeed, researchers could propose CAD models with information that simulates the same visual realism achieved with true AR. Moreover, multiple tests could be conducted in parallel by not relying on a limited amount of physical equipment per user. In this work, we developed and evaluated a desktop-simulated testing environment (DSTE) to conduct AR information presentation experiments remotely. We applied it in a pilot user study, revealing that the proposed DSTE was effective for the related research goals. Furthermore, 40 participants reported a positive user experience. The evaluation confirms that using a DSTE is promising for collecting and analyzing data from a wide range of people.

Unveiling the Metaverse: A Survey of User Experience, Social Dynamics, and Technological Interoperability

“…Health-related concerns, Environmental impact. Shifting preferences (The demand for the Metaverse's products, services, and way of living and working is influenced by shifting preferences) 10 of 20 [19] challenges, risks, and ethical considerations associated with the use and implementation of the metaverse include: the potential dark side of the virtual ecosystem, to which AR serves as a gateway, virtual ecosystems, including the metaverse, and highlights the importance of research on these ecosystems, the technologies used to access them (such as AR), and the ethical concerns that arise [44] Pragmatic qualities. Hedonic qualities.…”

“…This study suggests that ease of use facilitates effective learning and skill acquisition in virtual spaces. [44] shifts the focus to augmented reality, showcasing the enhanced user experiences achieved through the Digital Storytelling in the Environment (DSTE) framework. This research demonstrates how usability in augmented reality can significantly enrich user engagement and interaction.…”

“…This synthesis provides a comprehensive understanding of the effects of social influence in the evolving landscape of the Metaverse. [25,40,49] Role of AR, VR, Augmented reality's collaboration potential, anthropomorphism in healthcare, cyberbullying in social media, and social influence in AR [19,35,44,50] and Social Media Consumer Behavior Social Media's role in Purchases, threats in VR, VR in Healthcare Adoption, and Manipulative Algorithms in purchases [9,15,42,51] Metaverse Benefits Advantages in healthcare, governance importance, misinformation concerns, social media risks, and educational roles [12,14,17,31,45] and Challenges…”

Mapping Metaverse Research: Identifying Future Research Areas Based on Bibliometric and Topic Modeling Techniques

“…Service providers are thus striving to enhance their current standards and practices to meet this demand. This satisfies the demand for more immersive digital experiences with emerging technologies, such as virtual reality (VR) [13], augmented reality (AR) [14][15][16], mixed reality (MR) [17], and extended reality (XR) [18]. In a global setting, the metaverse brings together various promising technologies, creating a simulated environment that users can immerse themselves in as a virtual world [19][20][21].…”

“…In light of the burgeoning interest in the metaverse and its associated technologies, there are numerous avenues for future research that warrant exploration. One such direction could involve a comprehensive examination of the convergence of VR, AR, and blockchain technologies within the metaverse framework [14]. Investigating the synergistic potential of these technologies, while also accounting for their ethical implications and societal impact, would make a significant contribution to the scholarly discourse surrounding the metaverse [133].…”