From shielding to avoidance: passenger augmented reality and the layout of virtual displays for productivity in shared transit

Medeiros, D. , McGill, M., Ng, A., McDermid, R., Pantidi, N., Williamson, J. and Brewster, S. (2022) From shielding to avoidance: passenger augmented reality and the layout of virtual displays for productivity in shared transit. IEEE Transactions on Visualization and Computer Graphics, 28(11), pp. 3640-3650. (doi: 10.1109/TVCG.2022.3203002) (PMID:36048986)

Abstract

Passengers spend considerable periods of time in shared transit spaces, relying on smartphones and laptops for work. However, these displays are limited in size and ergonomics compared to typical multi-monitor setups used in the office, impairing productivity. Augmented Reality (AR) headsets could provide large, flexible virtual workspaces during travel, enabling passengers to work more efficiently. This paper investigates the factors affecting how passengers choose to layout virtual displays in car, train, subway and plane environments, studying the affordances of each mode of transport and the presence of others. Results from our experiment showed: significant usage of the physical environment to align displays; strong social effects meant avoiding placing displays over other passengers or their belongings; and use of displays for shielding oneself from others. Our findings show the unique challenges posed by the mode of transport and presence of others on the use of AR for mobile productivity in the future.

• Item Type: Articles
• Additional Information: This research received funding from the European Research Council (ERC) under the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme (#835197, ViAjeRo).
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Brewster, Professor Stephen and Williamson, Dr Julie and Ng, Dr Alexander and Pires de Sa Medeiros, Dr Daniel and McGill, Dr Mark
• Authors: Medeiros, D., McGill, M., Ng, A., McDermid, R., Pantidi, N., Williamson, J., and Brewster, S.
• College/School: College of Science and Engineering > School of Computing Science
• Journal Name: IEEE Transactions on Visualization and Computer Graphics
• Publisher: IEEE
• ISSN: 1077-2626
• ISSN (Online): 1941-0506
• Published Online: 01 September 2022
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2022 IEEE
• First Published: First published in IEEE Transactions on Visualization and Computer Graphics 28(11):3640-3650
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher