Augmented Reality Research Articles

Suffering and radical healing among women survivors of acid attack in India: a qualitative study using an augmented reality comic

ABSTRACT The rising acid assaults by men in India reflect women survivors’ (a) stigma-induced social exclusion, (b) fear of retaliation, and (c) sense of injustice due to impunity for the perpetrators in the patriarchal and neoliberal context. This study used an interdisciplinary approach to explore how justice-based healing (or radical healing) could be fostered amidst survivors’ structurally induced suffering. An augmented reality comic, Priya’s Mirror, became the source of narratives (followed by interviews and talks of actual survivors available online on YouTube) to be analyzed using a constructivist grounded theory approach. Survivors’ suffering comprised ‘being shocked and frightened to see oneself,’ ‘being taught a lesson for saying “no” to a male chauvinist,’ ‘stigmatized existence,’ and ‘commodified existence.’ Their experiences of radical healing entailed ‘finding a mirror in parents’ and ‘becoming a mirror for the fellow survivors.’ Findings are discussed to foster critical awareness among stakeholders to build solidarity towards radical healing.

Employing Augmented Reality to Foster Sense of Belonging for First-Generation College Transfer Students Transitioning to a Four-Year University

ABSTRACT It is imperative that higher education offer critical resources that support the growing number of first-generation college transfer students. This Notes from the Field examines one strand of this imperative from the perspective of employing Augmented Reality (AR) to foster a sense of belonging. The authors developed and tested an innovative AR-based campus tour for first-generation students transferring from a two-year college to a large, public, four-year U.S. institution. This article highlights how the AR tour developed, its deployment and testing process, and the lessons learned by the faculty-student researcher team regarding future innovation in support of first-generation transfer students.

Association Between Democracy Index and Studies on the Utilization of Immersion and Participation Techniques in Urban Planning

Abstract Background: Public participation is a key component in the process of urban planning, helping to formulate problems and requirements, and, eventually, cooperate in the final solution. The new visualization and immersion possibilities offered by augmented and virtual reality appear to be feasible instruments for facilitating the involvement of the public in the participatory planning process. Methods: The presented paper provides an overview and characterization of individual methods of presentation of urban planning intentions to the public, including novel augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) methods. These definitions were subsequently used to identify the intensity of research on the use of AR/VR in individual countries and analyzed the associations between that intensity and the democracy index (DI) characterizing those countries (only countries with a sufficient gross domestic product were included). Results: We proposed definitions of individual techniques of visualization for improving public participation in the urban planning process, including the discussion on the level of immersion achievable using individual techniques. In addition, statistically significant correlation was found between the intensity of research on the use of such techniques and the democracy index (r = 0.376, p << 0.001), suggesting a potential association. Conclusions: The proposed definitions can be helpful in future research in this field, supporting the comparability of results. As expected, the research on such techniques is more intensive in countries with more developed democracies. Still, it must be considered that higher level of virtualization does not always necessarily mean higher level of immersion and that advanced techniques can be used for misleading presentation of the urban planning intentions, even in democratic countries.

Enhancing online retail engagement: the role of augmented reality in product presentations

ABSTRACT This study investigates the impact of augmented reality (AR) technology on consumer engagement, product attitudes, and purchase intention in online stores. By examining how AR enhances traditional 2D and 3D product representations, the research aims to determine its effectiveness in improving online product presentations and delivering value to both consumers and retailers. An empirical study was conducted using a between-subjects experiment involving 120 participants, who were randomly assigned to view one of the four digital product representations of an IKEA table lamp, including various combinations of 2D images, 3D models, and AR. Engagement, product attitudes, and purchase intentions were assessed through a structured questionnaire following exposure to the stimuli. Findings revealed that AR significantly increased consumer engagement compared to 2D or 3D images alone, but did not lead to notable improvements in product attitudes or purchase intentions. This indicates that while AR can enhance engagement, it may not directly affect consumers´ evaluations or purchasing decisions. These results contribute to the growing literature on AR in retail by positioning it as an enhancement to existing digital representations rather than a standalone solution. The study also contributes to an increased managerial understanding of the possible benefits of implementing different types of product presentations in online retail.

Computer Vision for Augmented Reality in Handheld Devices

Augmented Reality (AR) on mobile devices has picked up great momentum in a host of industries, providing engaging and interactive experiences via the blending of digital overlays with real-world environments. A key enabling technology behind such applications is computer vision, which facilitates real-time object detection and tracking for AR overlays. Yet, implementing effective computer vision models on low-powered handheld devices raises a host of challenges. This work discusses lightweight object detection and tracking techniques optimized for mobile platforms with the focus on such models as MobileNet and YOLO-tiny that are capable of providing real-time performance with very low computational costs. Another major concern in mobile AR systems is balancing the requirements of graphic rendering for AR overlays with machine learning (ML) computations for object detection. This paper reviews methods of dividing resources among these mutually competing processes, i.e., model pruning, adaptive rendering, and hybrid processing methodologies. Methods of reducing latency and optimizing power efficiency are also presented to improve the user experience on mobile devices. Additionally, privacy and security issues are discussed in the realm of AR with edge computing identified as a way to protect sensitive information. The paper concludes by outlining future directions for AR on handheld devices, such as improvements in computer vision models, the development of AR-specific hardware, and new applications taking advantage of this technology in education, healthcare, and entertainment. Through this, we hope to give a holistic view of challenges and opportunities involved in deploying computer vision for augmented reality on mobile platforms. Keywords— augmented reality, computer vision, lightweight object detection, mobile AR, real-time tracking, graphic rendering, machine learning, resource-constrained devices, edge computing, privacy.

On-Site Safety Inspections Through Marker-Less Augmented Reality and Blockchain Notarization of BIM-Based Processes

The digitization that is impacting the construction sector still encounters areas where it is hindered. Safety is one of them—in Italy, even health and safety plans have to be digitally modeled. In this article, a methodology is presented for the digitization of health and safety plans and their visualization on-site using augmented reality and a seamless system for indoor–outdoor localization. Safety requirements for equipment are modeled as customized property within BIM models. Then, the interoperable-format IFC is used to upload the model in a BIM platform. On-site outdoor localization is ensured by a GPS-RTK system, while for indoor spaces, an artificial intelligence algorithm that recognizes features is used. In this research, an application that supports a seamless outdoor–indoor transition is proposed, with the display of inspection information through augmented reality and a blockchain notarization of images taken on-site and aligned with BIM models. The results of indoor and outdoor alignment are presented below. The experiment regarding augmented reality information display and the photo notarization procedure are also reported. This methodology improves the site inspection process by supporting the traceability of operations.

The Perceived Risk in Augmented Reality on Students’ Online Purchase Decisions

This study aims to analyze the direct and indirect effects of Augmented Reality (AR) and online trust on online purchasing decisions, with perceived risk as a mediating variable. The study used a quantitative approach with the Structural Equation Modeling method based on Partial Least Squares (PLS-SEM). Data were collected from 150 students who had shopped online using AR technology, using a purposive sampling technique. The results of the analysis showed that AR and online trust had a positive and significant effect on online purchasing decisions, and were able to reduce perceived risk. However, perceived risk did not have a significant effect on purchasing decisions, and did not act as a mediator between AR and online trust on online purchasing decisions. These findings indicate that the digital generation is more influenced by interactive experiences and platform credibility than by perceived risk. The managerial implications of this study emphasize the importance of increasing interactive technology and building consumer trust in e-commerce strategies. The research instrument was developed from previously validated indicators, including visual aspects, interactivity, security, and trust in the platform, as well as perceptions of risk and purchasing decisions.

Bibliometric Exploration of Human Resource Innovation in the Tourism Industry

This study explores innovation in Human Resource Management (HRM) in the tourism industry through bibliometric analysis. Using 70 relevant articles published between 2020 and 2024 from the Scopus database, this study uses bibliometric techniques such as simple count statistics, citation analysis, co-citation, bibliographic coupling, and network analysis. Findings reveal that human resource innovation plays a vital role in enhancing service quality, employee productivity, and organizational effectiveness in tourism. Key innovations include the use of artificial intelligence, video interviews, virtual and augmented reality in recruitment and training, and digital performance management systems. These tools significantly improve human resource efficiency and responsiveness. Moreover, green human resource practices and innovative employee welfare programs contribute to environmental performance and staff well-being. The study also emphasizes the need for continuous theoretical development to support sustainable human resource innovation. Future research should explore the integration of decision support systems, business analytics, and automation into human resource management, as well as their impact on employee satisfaction and organizational outcomes. Additionally, studies on green human resource management and inclusive policies can provide further insights into fostering a productive and sustainable work environment in tourism. This research provides a foundational understanding of current trends and offers guidance for further advancement in human resource innovation within the tourism industry.

Comparing Vibro-Tactile and Audio Feedback When Using an Everyday Object for Dial Interaction in Augmented Reality

As consumer-focused Augmented Reality (AR) becomes more commonplace, it is important to investigate interaction techniques that support users in their environment. Using everyday objects as interaction devices is compelling due to the availability of everyday objects and the capacity to provide a variety of passive haptic sensations, however, they typically lack active feedback. To study the addition of active feedback with everyday objects, a within-subjects study was conducted with n = 28 participants, utilising a flowerpot with vibro-tactile feedback to perform dial interactions, with four conditions: haptic only, audio only, both, and no additional feedback. Task completion time, accuracy, immersion, and preference were measured. No significant differences between conditions were found for task completion time or accuracy. Immersion and user preference measures only showed weak differences between haptic and audio feedback, suggesting that there may be little advantage to implement active haptic feedback for AR experiences using everyday objects.

Anatomical landmark-guided laparoscopy for migrant fishbone - induced pancreatic abscesses: a case series study and review of the literature

IntroductionPancreatic abscesses resulting from gastrointestinal fishbone migration represent rare yet clinically challenging surgical emergencies, with standardized management protocols remaining undefined.MethodsWe analyzed three consecutive cases (2024–2025) treated via anatomical landmark-guided laparoscopy alongside 11 PubMed-indexed cases (2004–2025). This study evaluates a novel surgical paradigm for complete foreign body retrieval and abscess resolution.ResultsThe laparoscopic strategy achieved technical precision with minimal operative duration (73 ± 6 min) and blood loss (6.67 ± 4.71 mL), eliminating pancreatic fistula or hemorrhagic complications. Postoperative hospitalization was reduced by 43% compared to conventional interventions (5.3 ± 1.5 vs. 9.3 ± 3.1 days; *p* < 0.01). Crucially, this strategy attained hemostatic efficacy equivalent to augmented reality navigation (ARN)-assisted techniques without preoperative conditioning.ConclusionThese findings establish a reproducible framework integrating anatomical landmark navigation for emergency pancreatic abscess management. The approach offers clinically validated advantages in procedural safety, visceral preservation, and accelerated recovery trajectories compared to existing strategies.

Digitally Disposed and Compromised

ABSTRACT Music technology and electronic music performance, dance, interactive design and movement animation (visual and sonic) have enjoyed challenging partnerships for some decades now, but the constant evolution of software capabilities and multimodal design, in the current context of so-called immersive performance, has also raised critical questions about embodiment and the digital disposition or rendition of dancers or performers whose gestures and ‘movement data’ are captured and transmuted. This paper’s investigation of older and newer dimensions of interactive technological design of performance was motivated by two recent concerts (Habiter (avec) Xenakis, an Augmented Reality recital at Enghien-Les-Bains’ Centre des Arts; Anti-Body, by Alexander Whitley Dance Company, Sadler’s Wells) which seemed to point in a direction that requires careful attention—also in the controversial context of AI and algorithmic fungibility of digitised objects—in order to parse some of the uses of technological constraints and operational processes which the author here bemoans as dispossession and disintegration of the performers’ physical presence in a stage concert.

A comparative case study of two immersive learning experiences in museums

Art and history museums are increasingly adopting multiple sensorial technologies, challenging people to reconsider how these immersive museum experiences may add to learning art and history. This study explores the use of emerging technologies in museum exhibits, and how it reshapes art and history education in museums. Comparative case study methodology is used to analyse differences and similarities between two immersive augmented reality and virtual reality exhibitions in the Netherlands. While Case 1 offers a structured, guided experience integrating historical artefacts, Case 2 is more open-ended, prioritising imaginative engagement. Drawing on these cases, we posit the construct of immersive learning experiences in museums and reflect on how they relate to traditional museum learning. Interaction and multimodality emerge as critical components of immersive learning experiences in museums that enhance the depth and breadth of visitor engagement, while guidance and interaction ensure that the educational objectives are met without stifling individual curiosity. Both cases vary to a large degree in the way in which they integrate these aspects of learning into their design.

Cultural Differences in the Use of Augmented Reality Smart Glasses (ARSGs) Between the U.S. and South Korea: Privacy Concerns and the Technology Acceptance Model

Augmented Reality Smart Glasses (ARSGs) allow users to engage in picture-taking and video recording, as well as real-time storage and sharing of pictures and videos through cloud services. Unlike smartphones, newer ARSGs resemble ordinary sunglasses, allowing for unobtrusive recording. As these devices become available on an international market, it is important to understand how different cultural attitudes towards privacy and the recording and sharing of images of bystanders could impact the acceptance and adoption of ARSGs. South Korea and the United States have vastly different culturally based perceptions of photography and recording in public. S. Korea has cultural and legal restrictions in place, while the U.S.’s values of freedom of expression and individual rights are reflected in limited restrictions. Accordingly, drawing upon the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), this paper explored the impact of privacy concerns on key constructs of the TAM for U.S. and S. Korean participants. This paper examined how Americans’ (U.S. = 402) and S. Koreans’ (S. Korea = 898) perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, attitude toward using, and behavioral intention to use ARSGs were impacted by privacy concerns. The results of this study found that S. Korean respondents had significantly greater privacy concerns about using ARSGs than U.S. respondents. However, they also had significantly more positive attitudes and greater behavioral intentions to use ARSGs. Path analyses examining ARSGs’ acceptance revealed that privacy concerns impacted attitudes towards ARSGs, but that these had a greater impact on U.S. participants than on Koreans. The results highlight the importance of considering nuanced cultural perspectives, specifically privacy concerns, in examining the development and adoption of new technologies. Raw data and scripts for this study are available to ensure reproducibility.

UTILISATION OF AUGMENTED REALITY FOR GENERATING ACTIVE LEARNING IN ARCHITECTURAL EDUCATION

The advancement of Augmented Reality (AR) has impacted the world of architecture and has facilitated the construction industry to leap ahead, giving practitioners the ability to virtually visualize and spatialize design works with integration into the physical environment. Nevertheless, the utilization of the available visualization techniques in AR has not been widely used in the teaching and learning of architecture. Hence, this article aims to describe the exploration of utilizing AR in architectural education, as a method for generating active learning among students. This article also depicts case studies of the integration of AR visualization with architectural education by experimenting with techniques of AR application in the teaching and learning of building construction courses. Two (2) experimental projects were conducted with the substance of exploratory action research. The projects were carried out to experiment with the integration techniques and to assess the integration as attributes for successful learning. The two projects used a qualitative approach to have the exploratory inquiry of the experimentation, focusing on exploration of AR utilizations in two (2) building construction courses using steel and timber materials. This research shows that AR had been successfully utilized as the medium to disseminate architectural construction knowledge of both steel and timber construction materials. The experimentations also have inspired students to participate in the learning process actively and improved their cognitive learning capability.

Gaze‐Engineered 3D Augmented Reality

Augmented reality (AR) is one of the core components of the metaverse. However, the vergence‐accommodation conflict (VAC) has hindered its development and application. This study proposes a novel gaze‐engineered 3D augmented reality (GE‐3D AR) system that integrates AR with human factors engineering to provide physical depth cues and address the VAC issue in AR systems. The GE‐3D AR system enables real‐time monitoring of the user's gaze point and adaptively renders images with depth of field corresponding to the visual characteristics of the human eye. Then these rendered images are rapidly projected onto the depth plane aligned with the user's gaze. A waveguide‐based prototype system has been constructed to validate the proposed approach, demonstrating the ability to achieve high‐quality display with a continuous depth range. Moreover, the system operates without the need for high‐refresh‐rate devices or high‐frequency oscillating components, achieving high stability and compactness. This work creates a new way for solving VAC in waveguide‐based AR systems.

1-nm-thick epitaxial AlN passivation for highly efficient flexible InGaN red micro-LEDs

Highly efficient, ultrahigh-density inorganic micro-LED displays are gaining a strong position in the market for use in augmented reality glasses. When applied to electronic contact lenses with an eye-adaptive form factor, the micro-LED displays evolve into next generation augmented reality viewers. Here, we report 1-nm-thick epitaxial AlN passivation for 1.5-μm-diameter InGaN red micro-LEDs with high external quantum efficiency of 6.5% at the peak wavelength of 649 nm. The flexible form factor of the red micro-LEDs is achieved through the development of a near-complete device transfer. By overcoming the existing bottlenecks of red spectral efficiency and form factor of inorganic micro-LEDs, we believe this will pave the way for another revolution in the augmented reality and metaverse industries.

From experimental to essential: The evolving role of augmented reality in neurosurgery (2012-2024).

From experimental to essential: The evolving role of augmented reality in neurosurgery (2012-2024).

Tracking and Registration Technology Based on Panoramic Cameras

Augmented reality (AR) has become a research focus in computer vision and graphics, with growing applications driven by advances in artificial intelligence and the emergence of the metaverse. Panoramic cameras offer new opportunities for AR due to their wide field of view but also pose significant challenges for camera pose estimation because of severe distortion and complex scene textures. To address these issues, this paper proposes a lightweight, unsupervised deep learning model for panoramic camera pose estimation. The model consists of a depth estimation sub-network and a pose estimation sub-network, both optimized for efficiency using network compression, multi-scale rectangular convolutions, and dilated convolutions. A learnable occlusion mask is incorporated into the pose network to mitigate errors caused by complex relative motion. Furthermore, a panoramic view reconstruction model is constructed to obtain effective supervisory signals from the predicted depth, pose information, and corresponding panoramic images and is trained using a designed spherical photometric consistency loss. The experimental results demonstrate that the proposed method achieves competitive accuracy while maintaining high computational efficiency, making it well-suited for real-time AR applications with panoramic input.

The Impact of the Augmented Reality Application with Inquiry-based Learning on Students' Spatial Visualization Skill and Performance

Spatial visualization skills in science learning are fundamental abilities that students need to develop to ensure mastery of science performance. Therefore, this study aimed to develop an Augmented Reality (AR) application with Engage, Explore, Explain, Elaborate and Evaluate (5E) inquiry-based learning approach, named AR Learn Science App, to improve students' spatial visualization skills and performance in science. Quantitative research with a pre-experimental design of one-group pre-test and post-test was implemented in the study. Thirty Year 5 students in a Malaysian public school were selected through convenience sampling techniques. The Mental Rotation Test and Science Performance Test were used as the study instruments. The data were analyzed descriptively and inferentially using SPSS software. The findings demonstrated the effectiveness of the AR Learn Science App in enhancing students' spatial visualization skills and their performance in science learning. Notably, the findings proved that the AR application with an inquiry-based learning approach could improve students' spatial visualization skills and enhance their science learning outcomes.

Open-source AI-assisted rapid 3D color multimodal image fusion and preoperative augmented reality planning of extracerebral tumors.

This study aimed to develop an advanced method for preoperative planning and surgical guidance using open-source artificial intelligence (AI)-assisted rapid 3D color multimodal image fusion (MIF) and augmented reality (AR) in extracerebral tumor surgical procedures. In this prospective trial of 130 patients with extracerebral tumors, the authors implemented a novel workflow combining FastSurfer (AI-based brain parcellation), Raidionics-Slicer (deep learning tumor segmentation), and Sina AR projection. Comparative analysis between AI-assisted 3D-color MIF (group A) and manual-3D-monochrome MIF (group B) was conducted, evaluating surgical parameters (operative time, blood loss, resection completeness), clinical outcomes (complications, hospital stay, modified Rankin Scale [mRS] scores), and technical performance metrics (processing time, Dice similarity coefficient [DSC], 95% Hausdorff distance [HD]). The AI-3D-color MIF system achieved superior technical performance with brain segmentation in 1.21 ± 0.13 minutes (vs 4.51 ± 0.15 minutes for manual segmentation), demonstrating exceptional accuracy (DSC 0.978 ± 0.012 vs 0.932 ± 0.029; 95% HD 1.51 ± 0.23 mm vs 3.52 ± 0.35 mm). Clinically, group A demonstrated significant advantages with shorter operative duration, reduced intraoperative blood loss, higher rate of gross-total resection, lower complication incidence, and better postoperative mRS scores (all p < 0.05). The integration of open-source AI tools (FastSurfer/Raidionics) with AR visualization creates an efficient 3D-color MIF workflow that enhances anatomical understanding through color-coded functional mapping and vascular relationship visualization. This system significantly improves surgical precision while reducing perioperative risks, representing a cost-effective solution for advanced neurosurgical planning in resource-constrained settings.