Location-based Augmented Reality Research Articles

Spatial–Temporal Calibration for Outdoor Location-Based Augmented Reality

Spatial–Temporal Calibration for Outdoor Location-Based Augmented Reality

Augmented future: tracing the trajectory of location-based augmented reality gaming for the next ten years

Abstract Location-based games are a highly technology-dependent game genre that has witnessed an exponential increase in popularity with the democratisation of smartphones as well as ubiquitous mobile data and access to satellite navigation. Moving forward into the future, location-based games can be expected to evolve as the technologies underlying the genre improve. In this conceptual work, we review the current state of the art in location-based games, and identify key trajectories and trends. We discovered 12 trends, based on which we jump ten years into the future and evaluate how current technology trends may end up influencing location-based gaming. For example, we propose that in the year 2035 through improvements in map data services and sensor data coverage, we will see locative games that are increasingly connected to elements in the physical world. We also expect to see gameplay that moves away from solely taking place on a smartphone screen to the adoption of multiple forms of interactions with location-based game worlds, especially as head-mounted displays and other wearables become more commonplace.

Creating Location-Based Mobile Applications for Tourism: A Virtual AR Guide for Western Macedonia

Augmented reality (AR) applications are currently used in many fields for communication and educational purposes. Tourism is also a sector where augmented reality is used for destination marketing and cultural heritage promotion. This study will focus on mobile location-based AR applications and their potential in tourism. Such applications can guide tourists to places of interest and enhance their overall experience. The aim of this paper is to present a mobile application that was created for tourists visiting the region of Western Macedonia, Greece. The application was developed in order to guide the users in the region, entertain them, and educate them about the region’s sights, cultural heritage, and other special characteristics. The paper also aims to present a large set of features that are present in the application, including various types of AR (marker-based, markerless, and location-based) in order to provide designers who wish to create AR applications for tourism with new ideas. The application was validated by a usability test, and its features were evaluated by 39 participants who completed a questionnaire with 29 Likert-scale items. This procedure revealed the level of acceptance for the application features, and valuable feedback was also received during a discussion with the participants about how the application could be upgraded in the future.

An Enhancement of Outdoor Location-Based Augmented Reality Anchor Precision through VSLAM and Google Street View.

Outdoor Location-Based Augmented Reality (LAR) applications require precise positioning for seamless integrations of virtual content into immersive experiences. However, common solutions in outdoor LAR applications rely on traditional smartphone sensor fusion methods, such as the Global Positioning System (GPS) and compasses, which often lack the accuracy needed for precise AR content alignments. In this paper, we introduce an innovative approach to enhance LAR anchor precision in outdoor environments. We leveraged Visual Simultaneous Localization and Mapping (VSLAM) technology, in combination with innovative cloud-based methodologies, and harnessed the extensive visual reference database of Google Street View (GSV), to address the accuracy limitation problems. For the evaluation, 10 Point of Interest (POI) locations were used as anchor point coordinates in the experiments. We compared the accuracies between our approach and the common sensor fusion LAR solution comprehensively involving accuracy benchmarking and running load performance testing. The results demonstrate substantial enhancements in overall positioning accuracies compared to conventional GPS-based approaches for aligning AR anchor content in the real world.

Exploring the impact of location-based augmented reality on tourists’ spatial behavior, experience, and intention through a field experiment

Location-based augmented reality (LBAR), co-constructed with real scenery, has formed a new hybrid experience space for tourists. While existing studies have explored tourists' recall or imagined perceptions of AR, this study investigated how LBAR affects tourists' spatial behaviors, experiences, and intentions in three stages (before, during, and after the tour) through a field experiment that provides a way to synthesize tourists' objective behavior and real-time perceptions. In the pre-travel phase, a questionnaire survey (N = 347) found that LBAR promotional videos improved potential tourists' willingness to travel. During travel, a field experiment (NLBAR = 20; Nnon-LBAR = 32) revealed that LBAR enhanced tourists' novel visual perception but constrained spatial exploration behavior. At the post-travel stage, the results showed that using LBAR did not significantly improve the tourists’ revisit intention. The findings complement theories related to tourist experience in hybrid space and provide an empirical reference for applying advanced visual technology in different travel stages.

Creating Location-Based Augmented Reality Games and Immersive Experiences for Touristic Destination Marketing and Education

The aim of this paper is to present an approach that utilizes several mixed reality technologies for touristic promotion and education. More specifically, mixed reality applications and games were created to promote the mountainous areas of Western Macedonia, Greece, and to educate visitors on various aspects of these destinations, such as their history and cultural heritage. Location-based augmented reality (AR) games were designed to guide the users to visit and explore the destinations, get informed, gather points and prizes by accomplishing specific tasks, and meet virtual characters that tell stories. Furthermore, an immersive lab was established to inform visitors about the region of interest through mixed reality content designed for entertainment and education. The lab visitors can experience content and games through virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) wearable devices. Likewise, 3D content can be viewed through special stereoscopic monitors. An evaluation of the lab experience was performed with a sample of 82 visitors who positively evaluated features of the immersive experience such as the level of satisfaction, immersion, educational usefulness, the intention to visit the mountainous destinations of Western Macedonia, intention to revisit the lab, and intention to recommend the experience to others.

The Effect of Virtual Instructor and Metacognition on Workload in a Location-Based Augmented Reality Learning Environment

The Effect of Virtual Instructor and Metacognition on Workload in a Location-Based Augmented Reality Learning Environment

Design of a location-based augmented reality game for the development of key 21st century competences in primary education

The use of augmented reality games (ARGs) in education has gained increased attention from curriculum developers, teachers, and researchers in the past decade. Research findings show that ARGs can promote meaningful learning environments that foster key competences for the 21st century. This paper presents the design process of “EcoAegean”, an ARG for mobile devices, which was implemented in primary classroom environments to support the development of students’ key competences in the context of sustainability. The game was created using an open augmented reality software platform and its design was based on contemporary theoretical underpinnings regarding the use of such games in educational contexts. In the first section of the paper, we describe the design procedures of the learning scenario as well as the game itself. In the last section of the paper, we offer a set of critical insights on the design and implementation of mobile augmented reality games for the purpose of supporting students’ development of key 21st century competences.

IMPACT OF GEOLOCATION DATA ON AUGMENTED REALITY USABILITY: A COMPARATIVE USER TEST

Abstract. While the use of location-based augmented reality (AR) for education has demonstrated benefits on participants’ motivation, engagement, and on their physical activity, geolocation data inaccuracy causes augmented objects to jitter or drift, which is a factor in downgrading user experience. We developed a free and open source web AR application and conducted a comparative user test (n = 54) in order to assess the impact of geolocation data on usability, exploration, and focus. A control group explored biodiversity in nature using the system in combination with embedded GNSS data, and an experimental group used an external module for RTK data. During the test, eye tracking data, geolocated traces, and in-app user-triggered events were recorded. Participants answered usability questionnaires (SUS, UEQ, HARUS).We found that the geolocation data the RTK group was exposed to was less accurate in average than that of the control group. The RTK group reported lower usability scores on all scales, of which 5 out of 9 were significant, indicating that inaccurate data negatively predicts usability. The GNSS group walked more than the RTK group, indicating a partial effect on exploration. We found no significant effect on interaction time with the screen, indicating no specific relation between data accuracy and focus. While RTK data did not allow us to better the usability of location-based AR interfaces, results allow us to assess our system’s overall usability as excellent, and to define optimal operating conditions for future use with pupils.

Location-Based Augmented Reality for Cultural Heritage Communication and Education: The Doltso District Application

Location-based Augmented Reality applications are increasingly used in many research and commercial fields. Some of the fields that these applications are used are recreational digital games, tourism, education, and marketing. This study aims to present a location-based augmented reality (AR) application for cultural heritage communication and education. The application was created to inform the public, especially K12 students, about a district of their city with cultural heritage value. Furthermore, Google Earth was utilized to create an interactive virtual tour for consolidating the knowledge acquired by the location-based AR application. A scheme for evaluating the AR application was also constructed using factors suitable for location-based applications: challenge, educational usefulness (knowledge), collaboration, and intention to reuse. A sample of 309 students evaluated the application. Descriptive statistical analysis showed that the application scored well in all factors, especially in challenge and knowledge (mean values 4.21 and 4.12). Furthermore, structural equation modeling (SEM) analysis led to a model construction that represents how the factors are causally related. Based on the findings, the perceived challenge significantly influenced the perceived educational usefulness (knowledge) (b = 0.459, sig = 0.000) and interaction levels (b = 0.645, sig = 0.000). Interaction amongst users also had a significant positive impact on users’ perceived educational usefulness (b = 0.374, sig = 0.000), which in turn influenced users’ intention to reuse the application (b = 0.624, sig = 0.000).

English for tourism and AR-assisted context-aware ubiquitous learning: a preliminary design-based research study

With the rise of augmented reality (AR) and context-aware ubiquitous learning (CAUL), pedagogical designers in computer assisted language learning are increasingly developing authentic English for Specific Purposes (ESP) learning environments. However, there has been little research regarding the development of evidence-based principles for English for tourism purposes (ETP) through AR-based CAUL. The purpose of this study was to provide a preliminary analysis of the design principles and develop a learning model based on a rigorous four-phase Design-Based Research procedure. The researchers first developed a location-based AR application for ETP and formulated the first set of design principles. This application was further tested and refined in an iterative process, with data collected from three different sources. The data collection methods included an online questionnaire, onsite observations, and semi-structured expert interviews. All the data was triangulated and analyzed, and a team of experts evaluated the design principles. Results showed that the technical affordances of mobile AR devices should form the basis for the design. The application needs to seamlessly provide multimodal scenery-based AR learning supports to fulfill individual needs in blended learning contexts. Furthermore, a user-friendly interface with personalized functions and a portfolio recording the learning progress needs to be included. Multimodal authentic ETP dialogs and terminology are also necessary in order to build students’ ETP speaking competence. Moreover, the learning material should be compatible with the main theories which drive language learning in CAUL. In light of the findings, a learning model was established to guide AR-based ETP learning and serve as template for future studies in other ESP fields.

AUGMENTING LANDMARKS: EXTENDING “PLACES” IN THE HYBRID CITY

Several recent technological advancements are substantially altering how we interact with urban spaces. The existing physical space as we know it now encompasses a plethora of emerging realities into which we shift in and out, resulting in what is called Hybrid Spaces. Augmented Reality (AR) today gives way to forms of hybrid realities that are accessible through our handheld devices, and which allow us to engage with our physical reality in a new way. These devices allow us to access and view digital information that is saturating our urban spaces, and yet appear invisible to the naked eye. When this information is localized, it can be used to augment physical space with virtual overlays. These augmentations may become physically linked to the environment, establishing virtual landmarks that could only be accessed via these handheld or wearable digital portals through digital applications. This gives way to new forms of engaging in real-time with our socio-cultural daily activities. The literature shows that urban space is reimagined through augmented reality (AR) which plays a significant role in introducing new augmented “places” supporting our physical ones as hybrid realities. This paper, accordingly, investigates the notion of location-based AR experiences on landmarks in the urban space in accordance with our spatial memory, and how augmented reality through mobile devices, plays an important role as a gateway between our physical space and the virtual one. It also seeks to understand how these augmentations might insert and employ symbolic or personal meanings to the space, based on our different interpretations. In doing so, we conducted an integrative analytical review of the most recent literature, to study the forms of augmentations in multiple cities, and how they are used as agents in our spatial experience. The paper then introduced a framework that could be used to assess users’ satisfaction and the design considerations of the AR spatial experience. Finally, the paper adopts a few recent AR practices to be assessed by the proposed framework.

BiodivAR: A Cartographic Authoring Tool for the Visualization of Geolocated Media in Augmented Reality

Location-based augmented reality technology for real-world, outdoor experiences is rapidly gaining in popularity in a variety of fields such as engineering, education, and gaming. By anchoring medias to geographic coordinates, it is possible to design immersive experiences remotely, without necessitating an in-depth knowledge of the context. However, the creation of such experiences typically requires complex programming tools that are beyond the reach of mainstream users. We introduce BiodivAR, a web cartographic tool for the authoring of location-based AR experiences. Developed using a user-centered design methodology and open-source interoperable web technologies, it is the second iteration of an effort that started in 2016. It is designed to meet needs defined through use cases co-designed with end users and enables the creation of custom geolocated points of interest. This approach enabled substantial progress over the previous iteration. Its reliance on geolocation data to anchor augmented objects relative to the user’s position poses a set of challenges: On mobile devices, GNSS accuracy typically lies between 1 m and 30 m. Due to its impact on the anchoring, this lack of accuracy can have deleterious effects on usability. We conducted a comparative user test using the application in combination with two different geolocation data types (GNSS versus RTK). While the test’s results are undergoing analysis, we hereby present a methodology for the assessment of our system’s usability based on the use of eye-tracking devices, geolocated traces and events, and usability questionnaires.

An Indoor Location-Based Augmented Reality Framework.

This paper proposes an indoor location-based augmented reality framework (ILARF) for the development of indoor augmented-reality (AR) systems. ILARF integrates an indoor localization unit (ILU), a secure context-aware message exchange unit (SCAMEU), and an AR visualization and interaction unit (ARVIU). The ILU runs on a mobile device such as a smartphone and utilizes visible markers (e.g., images and text), invisible markers (e.g., Wi-Fi, Bluetooth Low Energy, and NFC signals), and device sensors (e.g., accelerometers, gyroscopes, and magnetometers) to determine the device location and direction. The SCAMEU utilizes a message queuing telemetry transport (MQTT) server to exchange ambient sensor data (e.g., temperature, light, and humidity readings) and user data (e.g., user location and user speed) for context-awareness. The unit also employs a web server to manage user profiles and settings. The ARVIU uses AR creation tools to handle user interaction and display context-aware information in appropriate areas of the device's screen. One prototype AR app for use in gyms, Gym Augmented Reality (GAR), was developed based on ILARF. Users can register their profiles and configure settings when using GAR to visit a gym. Then, GAR can help users locate appropriate gym equipment based on their workout programs or favorite exercise specified in their profiles. GAR provides instructions on how to properly use the gym equipment and also makes it possible for gym users to socialize with each other, which may motivate them to go to the gym regularly. GAR is compared with other related AR systems. The comparison shows that GAR is superior to others by virtue of its use of ILARF; specifically, it provides more information, such as user location and direction, and has more desirable properties, such as secure communication and a 3D graphical user interface.

Location-Based Augmented Reality for Cultural Heritage Education: Creating Educational, Gamified Location-Based AR Applications for the Prehistoric Lake Settlement of Dispilio

Today, augmented reality (AR) applications are being used in many fields, such as advertising, entertainment, tourism, and education. Location-based augmented reality (AR) is a technology where interactive digital content is associated with real-world locations and their geo-based markers. The merging of the real-world environment with the digital content occurs when the user reaches these locations. Location-based AR applications are typically experienced using mobile devices with the ability to report the user’s location via GPS. These applications are increasingly used in education, since it has been shown that they positively affect student satisfaction and engagement. Furthermore, it is known in the literature that learner satisfaction and engagement increase when gamification and storytelling techniques are incorporated into the educational process. The aim of the study is to present two location-based, educational augmented-reality applications that utilize gamification and storytelling to provide cultural heritage knowledge about a prehistoric lake settlement. The study also aims to provide ideas and guidance to educators who wish to create applications that transform educational visits to archeological sites and museums into engaging augmented-reality experiences. Both applications underwent a preliminary evaluation using a sample of 71 higher-education students and a sample of 58 school students. The findings showed that the applications scored well in aspects such as ease of use, student satisfaction, and perceived educational usefulness.

Impacts of augmented reality on foreign language teaching: a case study of Persian language.

The use of information technology in the field of foreign language teaching as an auxiliary tool is very important. In a foreign language classroom, place is just an abstract concept; where the language is separated from the community, culture and places in which it is used. Augmented reality is a technology in which virtual components are simultaneously combined with the real environment. Our aim in this study is to investigate the effects of location-based augmented reality in teaching Persian as a foreign language. In this study, after consulting with professors in the field of Persian language teaching and reviewing similar researches, we came to the conclusion that nothing has been done to teach Persian language using augmented reality. Therefore, a Persian game based on augmented reality was designed and implemented and then evaluated. For evaluation, two methods have been used; the user and the heuristic evaluation. Experts in the field of Persian language teaching, human-computer interaction and a number of language learners participated in the evaluation. Their feedback shows that the use of augmented reality increases satisfaction, enthusiasm and interaction with the environment and people, and also makes the process of learning and memorizing concepts more efficient.

An analysis of motivation and situational interest in a location-based augmented reality application

Research has provided evidence that augmented reality (AR) can be an effective tool to improve teaching and learning across multiple domains. Research is limited, however, in several key areas related to AR. For instance, motivation and situational interest are critical to student learning outcomes. However, little is known about the relationship between the two constructs and AR, particularly for AR that leverages location-based triggers. This study addressed this need by analyzing data from participants who used an application that delivers location-based, instructional AR content about the tragic shootings that occurred on May 4th, 1970, at Kent State University. Data findings showed significant decreases in motivation, but significant growth in situational interest and content knowledge. Implications for development of future location-based AR applications are discussed.

ARSpy: Breaking Location-Based Multi-Player Augmented Reality Application for User Location Tracking

Augmented reality (AR) applications that overlay the perception of the real world with digitally generated information are on the cusp of commercial viability. AR has appeared in several commercial platforms like Microsoft HoloLens and smartphones. They extend the user experience beyond two dimensions and supplement the normal 3D world of a user. A typical location-based multi-player AR application works through a three-step process, wherein the system collects sensory data from the real world, identifies objects based on their context, and finally, renders information on top of senses of a user. However, because these AR applications frequently exchange data with users, they have exposed new individual and public safety issues. In this paper, we develop ARSpy, a user location tracking system solely based on network traffic information of the user, and we test it on location-based multi-player AR applications. We demonstrate the effectiveness and efficiency of the proposed scheme via real-world experiments on 12 volunteers and show that we could obtain the geolocation of any target with high accuracy. We also propose three mitigation methods to mitigate these side channel attacks. Our results reveal a potential security threat in current location-based multi-player AR applications and serve as a critical security reminder to a vast number of AR users.

Users’ Perspectives on Ethical Issues Related to Playing Location-Based Augmented Reality Games: A Case Study of Pokémon GO

ABSTRACT Location-based augmented reality games are becoming increasingly popular, which causes a variety of tensions among players as well as between players and non-players. Subsequently, numerous ethical issues and challenges in designing and playing these games emerged. We conducted an online survey and analyzed 2,023 responses to better understand users’ participation in various game actions in location-based augmented reality games, and their perspectives on how ethical the actions are and for what reasons. We provide descriptive statistics showing people’s participation in these actions and analyze users’ expressed reasons as to why they think these actions are ethical or not. We use the theoretical lens of three ethical traditions–consequentialism, deontology, and virtue ethics–in our analysis, showing the dominance of consequentialism and deontology in people’s ethical judgment related to playing the game, and discuss implications and future consideration for game design.

A Systematic Review of User Acceptance in Industrial Augmented Reality

In the industrial work context, Augmented Reality (AR) can support work processes and employees’ cognitive relief through the location-specific and context-related superimposition of real objects with virtual information. The AR-based support of industrial work processes ranges over product development, manufacturing, assembly, maintenance, and training. In all these areas, numerous location-based AR support functions are being prototypically implemented, aiming to improve work efficiency, communication in mobile work situations, or employee qualification in the work process. In contrast to the increasing number of developed AR solutions in recent years, there is no widespread use of these solutions in industrial practice. AR systems’ successful introduction is closely related to user acceptance, which has not been comprehensively considered over the system development process. In addition to improving AR hardware ergonomic features, usability or user interface design play an essential role in user acceptance. Particularly in the context of employee qualification, increasing employee engagement can be named as a success factor. Previous user studies of industrial AR systems only include individual user acceptance aspects. The use of game elements has not been widely addressed in connection with manual tasks in production environments, including AR-based assistance systems. This paper aims to examine user acceptance of industrial AR systems and the relevant factors for investigating user acceptance, e.g., ease of use or enjoyment, based on a systematic literature review. An analysis of existing review articles on industrial AR systems elaborates the current state of the art and identifies the research gap. This review of 109 scientific articles from 2011 to 2020 provides an overview of the current state of research on the inclusion of user acceptance in industrial AR systems. The identified papers from the scientific databases, Scopus, Web of Science, IEEE Xplore Digital Library, ACM Digital Library, and Science Direct, are evaluated for their relevance and selected for further analysis based on inclusion and exclusion criteria, e.g., year of publication. This review presents the current challenges regarding user acceptance of industrial AR systems and future possibilities for the comprehensive integration of user acceptance factors into the development, evaluation, and implementation process.