Exploring the Effect of Viewing Attributes of Mobile AR Interfaces on Remote Collaborative and Competitive Tasks

TL;DR

This study investigates how different viewing attributes of mobile AR interfaces affect remote collaborative and competitive tasks, revealing that asynchronous small-screen viewing optimizes user performance and preference.

Contribution

It introduces novel techniques considering viewing angles, synchronization, and secondary screens for remote MAR tasks, supported by a comprehensive user study.

Findings

Asynchronous small-screen viewing improves task performance.

Users prefer techniques with secondary small screens.

Viewing attributes significantly influence remote MAR task effectiveness.

Abstract

Mobile devices have the potential to facilitate remote tasks through Augmented Reality (AR) solutions by integrating digital information into the real world. Although prior studies have explored Mobile Augmented Reality (MAR) for co-located collaboration, none have investigated the impact of various viewing attributes that can influence remote task performance, such as target object viewing angles, synchronization styles, or having a secondary small screen showing other users current view in the MAR environment. In this paper, we explore five techniques considering these attributes, specifically designed for two modes of remote tasks: collaborative and competitive. We conducted a user study employing various combinations of those attributes for both tasks. In both instances, results indicate users' optimal performance and preference for the technique that allows asynchronous viewing of object manipulations on the small screen. Overall, this paper contributes novel techniques for remote tasks in MAR, addressing aspects such as viewing angle and synchronization in object manipulation alongside secondary small-screen interfaces. Additionally, it presents the results of a user study evaluating the effectiveness, usability, and user preference of these techniques in remote settings and offers a set of recommendations for designing and implementing MAR solutions to enhance remote activities.