Surveying the social comfort of body, device, and environment-based augmented reality interactions in confined passenger spaces using mixed reality composite videos

Medeiros, D., Dubus, R., Williamson, J. , Wilson, G., Pohlmann, K. and McGill, M. (2023) Surveying the social comfort of body, device, and environment-based augmented reality interactions in confined passenger spaces using mixed reality composite videos. Proceedings of the ACM on Interactive, Mobile, Wearable and Ubiquitous Technologies, 7(3), 113. (doi: 10.1145/3610923)

Abstract

Augmented Reality (AR) headsets could significantly improve the passenger experience, freeing users from the restrictions of physical smartphones, tablets and seatback displays. However, the confined space of public transport and the varying proximity to other passengers may restrict what interaction techniques are deemed socially acceptable for AR users - particularly considering current reliance on mid-air interactions in consumer headsets. We contribute and utilize a novel approach to social acceptability video surveys, employing mixed reality composited videos to present a real user performing interactions across different virtual transport environments. This approach allows for controlled evaluation of perceived social acceptability whilst freeing researchers to present interactions in any simulated context. Our resulting survey (N=131) explores the social comfort of body, device, and environment-based interactions across seven transit seating arrangements. We reflect on the advantages of discreet inputs over mid-air and the unique challenges of face-to-face seating for passenger AR.

• 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: Wilson, Dr Graham and Williamson, Dr Julie and Pohlmann, Ms Katharina and McGill, Dr Mark
• Authors: Medeiros, D., Dubus, R., Williamson, J., Wilson, G., Pohlmann, K., and McGill, M.
• College/School: College of Science and Engineering > School of Computing Science
• Journal Name: Proceedings of the ACM on Interactive, Mobile, Wearable and Ubiquitous Technologies
• Publisher: Association for Computing Machinery
• ISSN: 2474-9567
• ISSN (Online): 2474-9567
• Published Online: 27 September 2023
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2023 held by the owner/author(s)
• First Published: First published in Proceedings of the ACM on Interactive, Mobile, Wearable and Ubiquitous Technologies 7(3):113
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced in accordance with the publisher copyright policy