Location-based Augmented Reality Research Articles

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.

Exploring Location-Based AR Narrative Design for Historic Site

Abstract The Pickrick Protests is a project exploring the use of Augmented Reality (AR) to recreate a sequence of Civil Rights--era incidents that occurred at the Pickrick restaurant, in Atlanta, over a period of 8 months in 1964–1965. This project gives a connected and chronological narrative of the historic events to form a cohesive experience, with AR projections of computer graphic depictions of the 1960s buildings, and events on the site where they happened. The objective of this project is to make the history of the Civil Rights Movement visible by privileging the perspective of the African Americans who fought for equality. This paper focuses on introducing the narrative design for this location-based AR application (Bowman et al., 1998). We will discuss our approach to creating a meaningful narrative within the technical affordances and environmental constraints of the AR medium and the specific location. The design challenges posed by this project were how to merge the virtual content with the existing, albeit changed, physical space; how to recenter the story on the activists rather than on the segregationist restaurant owner who went on to become a governor of Georgia; and how to direct attention in AR in order to allow interactors to follow a multiepisode narrative, and to focus on the nonviolent activists rather than the aggressive segregationists.

Using Design of Location-Based Augmented Reality Experiences to Engage Art-Oriented Girls in Technology and Science

Taking part in creating location-based augmented reality (LBAR) experiences that focus on communication, art and design could serve as an entry point for art-oriented girls and young women towards career pathways in computer science and information communication technology. This conceptual paper presents our theory-based approach and subsequent application, as well as lessons learned informed by team discussions and reflections. We built an LBAR program entitled AR Girls on four foundational principles: stealth science (embedding science in familiar appealing experiences), place-based education (situating learning in one’s own community), non-hierarchical design (collaborations where both adults and youth generate content), and learning through design (engaging in design, not just play). To translate these principles into practice, we centered the program around the theme of art by forming partnerships with small community art organizations and positioning LBAR as an art-based communication medium. We found that LBAR lends itself to an interdisciplinary approach that blends technology, art, science and communication. We believe our approach helped girls make connections to their existing interests and build soft skills such as leadership and interpersonal communication as they designed local environmentally-focused LBAR walking tours. Our “use-modify-create” approach provided first-hand experiences with the AR software early on, and thus supported the girls and their art educators in designing and showcasing their walking tours. Unfortunately, the four foundational principles introduced considerable complexity to AR Girls, which impacted recruitment and retention, and at times overwhelmed the art educators who co-led the program. To position AR Girls for long-term success, we simplified the program approach and implementation, including switching to a more user-friendly AR software; reducing logistical challenges of location-based design and play; narrowing the topic addressed by the girls design; and making the involvement of community partners optional. Overall, our initial work was instrumental in understanding how to translate theoretical considerations for learning in out-of-school settings into an LBAR program aimed at achieving multiple complementary outcomes for participating girls. Ultimately, we achieved better scalability by simplifying AR Girls both conceptually and practically. The lessons learned from AR Girls can inform others using LBAR for education and youth development programming.

Catch them all: Impacts of location-based augmented reality mobile applications on local businesses

Mobile applications implemented with location-based and augmented reality (LBAR) technologies have become a new trend. They alter the app usage patterns, expand their mobility areas, and shape their daily lives. Consequently, local businesses may experience spillover effects in terms of store visits and online reputation. Anecdotal evidence is mixed regarding whether businesses gain from the LBAR apps. There is limited research on how the penetration of LBAR apps impacts local businesses and the potential economic value. To fill the gap in the research literature, we leverage a natural experiment involving the launch of an LBAR mobile app to examine its business impacts on the online reputation of nearby restaurants. We find that, in general, restaurants near the app portals do gain indirect benefits from the entry of the LBAR application in improving their online reputation. This spillover benefit of LBAR applications changes over time, and its internalization depends on the restaurant features, location, and the agglomeration of surrounding businesses. This paper provides useful theoretical and practical insights into the business impacts of LBAR technologies.

The Use of Location-Based Augmented Reality as Information Media in The Digital Map Application of Jakabaring Sport City

Jakabaring Sport City (JSC) is an integrated sports facility complex and a public tourist spot in Palembang. Due to its extensive area and numerous facilities, visitors need a map with distinct markers for the landmark to make it easier when walking around. Recent technology advancements and its expanding role in various fields invites the question on how to integrate technology in the tourism industry. This journal aims to create an android-based digital map application with augmented reality (AR) as a guiding medium that will display directions towards the Jakabaring exit gate. This app is built using Maps SDK for Android to build the digital maps, Navigation SDK for Android to run navigation, and Maps for Unity to display AR objects that will show the directions towards the exit. The development focuses on a location-based service using GPS to track the user's whereabouts and provide real-time location data around the user. This application has a location search feature, a guiding direction (route and navigation) to a designed location, and an AR camera feature to display where the JSC exit gate is located. Every feature is working well and able to help users while visiting JSC. However, this application could still be improved in the AR feature because on its current version, it is only able to display directions to the JSC exit gate when users are within a radius of one kilometer or less to the exit.

Convergence between the real and the augmented: Experiences and perceptions in location-based games

Location-based augmented reality (AR) games have recently become massively popular, generating billions of dollars in revenue during the past five years. These games augment geographical areas with playful content, which makes the playing experience dependent on both the game and the playing location. Existing games have employed various methods for increasing the connection between the game and the physical world, such as (1) an AR mode that lets players see virtual objects in the physical world through the lens of their mobile device; and (2) connecting the game’s virtual points of interest (PoIs) to physical world objects. To explore how these influence the playing experience, we surveyed players (N = 74) across four popular location-based AR games. We analyzed the data using a thematic clustering approach, which resulted in five central themes. Among our findings was that only 7% of the surveyed players regularly used or appreciated AR features that made use of the mobile device’s camera. The most often given reason for this was that they slow down progression. By contrast, players appreciated location-based features and the augmentation of digital content on a map interface. Connecting the virtual content to physical world objects was seen to have the benefits of (1) supporting social meetings; (2) enabling learning about the real world; and (3) increasing the meaningfulness of the virtual content.

Educating Adults with a Location-Based Augmented Reality Game: A Content Analysis Approach

With the exception of Pokémon Go, relatively little is known about other Mobile Augmented Reality (MAR) games, and the attitudes of middle-aged and elderly adults towards them are hitherto poorly examined. The aim of this research is to examine the opinions of young, middle-aged, and elderly adults about the location-based MAR game Ingress. The responses to questions related to Ingress were collected from 24 adult players aged 20–60 from Greece and subsequently were analyzed by means of content analysis, both qualitatively and quantitatively, using the Jaccard index of similarity. Our findings showed that opinions of young people (20–35) agree more with those of elderly adults (>52) than with those of the intermediate age group of 36–51. It was also revealed that knowledge of geography facilitates the ability to play the game better, the game’s scenario is very interesting to adults, and the feeling of playing locally in a global game is also appreciated by all age groups. Along with these findings, with this research, it was shown that (a) content analysis is a valuable method for exploring opinions and attitudes of adult users towards MAR games and (b) Jaccard indices can be used to quantitatively explore themes emerging from content analysis.

Safety and health perceptions of location-based augmented reality gaming app and their implications

This study seeks to understand the potential safety and health implications of location-based augmented reality gaming apps (“LAR apps”) through studying people perception of Pokémon GO, a popular LAR gaming app. These perceptions can affect app usage behavior, app retention rate, and market share which can be critical to policymakers and app developers. An online survey is conducted to capture the impacts of Pokémon GO regarding: (i) perceived risk of using the app and opinion of prohibiting its usage while driving and cycling, (ii) frequency of app-related distracted driving and cycling, (iii) frequency of app-induced driving and potentially unsafe driving behavior, (iv) average daily steps before and after using the app, and (v) perceived physical and mental health benefits. Multivariate binary probit models and random parameters ordered probit models were estimated to capture users’ and non-users’ characteristics that affect these perceptions, attitude, and behavior. The results suggest that LAR gaming apps can potentially promote physical activity by encouraging people to walk more, increase social interactions such as app-related discussions, but also contribute to increased app-related distracted driving and cycling, app-induced driving, and unsafe driving behavior. The study findings and insights can provide valuable feedback to legislators and LAR gaming app developers for designing policies and app mechanisms that can address the safety concerns of using such apps, and provide physical and mental health benefits to its users.

Gamified Mobile Collaborative Location-Based Language Learning

As design-based research, this study describes the development and analysis of two location-based augmented reality (AR) serious learning games (SLG) for French second language (FL2) learning. Explorez and VdeUVic are collaborative quest-based SLGs. At different locations on campus, players interact with characters that give them quests including clues or options to further the storyline. These interactions take place in the form of either written text, or audio and video recordings, encouraging students to develop language skills both written and oral. Students choose their own learning path and advance at their own pace. Three cohorts of FL2 university students play-tested the games, with 58 of the 77 students choosing to participate in the study. The design-based research framework for the development of the game iterations and subsequent testing was an iterative process with each stage producing output that became input for the next stage. The evaluation of the AR language tools was implemented by means of a mixed-method case study, collecting data of both a qualitative and quantitative nature, through pre and post-play questionnaires, interviews, and video recordings of student gameplay interactions for analysis. Informed by situated cognition, one of the goals was to provide a contextual and immersive learning experience. Additionally, this research drew on sociocultural theory and the social nature of language learning, emphasizing learner interactions as a principal learning force. This research examined the learners’ perceptions of their learning experience, as well as the ways in which students collaborated to complete the tasks. Employing a situative approach framework informed by social regulation and content processing, student learning patterns were examined. Distinct types of learner interactions amongst teams during gameplay were shown. Patterns in the emergence of learners’ high-level co-regulation during collaborative learning are indicated in the findings. Key elements for the development and implementation of location-based serious games to foster collaborative learning are highlighted.

A Framework of Developing Mobile Gamification to Improve User Engagement of Physical Activity: A Case Study of Location-Based Augmented Reality Mobile Game for Promoting Physical Health

This study presents the framework of developing mobile gamification for conducting application on health promotion. The method is composed of four phases adapted from the spiral model: objectives determination for enhancement of positive health; core game flow and mechanics definition; development, test and evaluation; and the next iteration plan. To evaluate the frame-work, we developed Camt comic run application to provide a practical method to select the suitable game elements (leaderboard, score point, map progress bar, inventory and randomness) and validation by Game Experience Questionnaire (GEQ): Four weeks with 40 participants were to investigate the outcome of the application which was divided into two stages. Week 1 and Week 2 were the baseline stage collecting behavioral information of participants. In the second stage – Week 3 and Week 4 – the participants were divided into two groups: the ones who use our application and those who don’t. The results showed that gamification drove the engagement and motivation of participants who had not reached the standard guideline. The data showed significance mostly in participants who had less physical activity than physical activity guidelines at least 150 min/week and average increase physical activity rate from baseline.

Location-Based Game Platform for Behavioral Data Collection in Disaster Rescue Scenarios

Location-based games are an emerging paradigm for training, simulation, entertainment, health and many other domains. In this paper, we consider the role of location-based games as a platform for data collection and analysis of human behavior. We also examine how human teams perform in a disaster scenario when such a scenario is mapped to a game environment conducted as a location-based augmented reality game. We use a pilot experiment to study human behavior between simulated disaster rescue teams and an integrated commander for the purpose of future research into improving exploitation of local tasks versus exploration of assigned objectives by disaster response teams. We show the results of our pilot experiment, analyze the effectiveness of this game as a data collection platform and then investigate how additional experiments may be conducted to formalize this problem further.

How Do Location-Based Augmented Reality Games Improve Physical and Mental Health? Evaluating the Meanings and Values of Pokémon Go Users' Experiences through the Means-End Chain Theory.

New technology has dramatically changed online games and blurred the boundary between active and passive activities. This study aims to explore the meanings and values of augmented reality online games by examining users’ Pokémon Go experiences through the means-end chain theory. Using data from interviews with 34 Pokémon Go users, this study adopts the soft laddering method to identify Pokémon Go’s potential attributes, consequences, and values, and to construct a hierarchical value map. The results indicated that Pokémon Go users pursue social relationships through play, and these relationships are triggered by the benefits of making new friends, maintaining current relationships with friends and family, and the attributes of prevalence, childhood memory, game design, and augmented reality. Subsequently, this study describes how Pokémon Go can be considered an active leisure activity because of its social, mental, and physical benefits and assesses the implications of its findings.

Developing a novel psychographic-behavioral qualitative mapping method for exergames

Location-based augmented reality games, used in several smartphone devices, have the potential to improve health outcomes by transforming gaming from a sedentary leisure pursuit to an active leisure pursuit thus having positive physical, psychological and social implications. We consider two games, Harry Potter: Wizards Unite and Pokémon GO, by qualitatively mapping both psychographic and behavioral data to profile groups of players to fully understand how we can better design location-based augmented reality exergames to improve exercise and health. Data was collected through an online open-ended, text-box survey (proforma) hosted on Qualtrics, with participants reached via virtual snowballing. The proforma was posted on four subreddit forums dedicated to Harry Potter: Wizards Unite and Pokémon GO for two weeks, and 1052 participants responded. Our study aligns with a deductive category application, with all highlighted excerpts coded using a predetermined coding scheme. Overall, three themes were identified: 1) Player Loyalty, 2) Player Involvement and 3) Player Constraints. We conclude that psychographic constraints experienced can negatively influence player preference and behavior. However, psychographic enablers such as player involvement with the franchise and player loyalty toward the brand can act to sustain continued gameplay across different player types and should not be underestimated as a powerful influence in decision-making, choice behavior, and behavior change (to improve exercise and health).

A systematic map of research characteristics in studies on augmented reality and cognitive load

In this paper, we present results from a systematic review of research on Augmented Reality (AR) with a special focus on cognitive load (CL). A total of 64 studies from the years 2007 to 2019 were analyzed. The number of publications on AR and CL is steadily increasing. While studies are often conducted by multidisciplinary teams, most are from the US and Taiwan. From a methodological perspective, quantitative research methods with experimental designs dominate. Usually, studies are conducted as media comparison studies measuring effects of AR on declarative or procedural knowledge compared to one or more control groups. The examination of AR focuses on different components, with assistance systems and instructional materials being the most common. Mostly, studies are about see-through, marker-based, spatial, and location-based AR. Markerless or web AR applications are not yet in this sample. The influence of AR glasses on the cognitive load is most often investigated, followed by mobile devices such as smartphones or tablets. Among the survey instruments, the Nasa Task Load Index (Nasa TLX) is used most frequently; only three studies use dual task methods to measure the cognitive load. Implications for future research projects are presented and should contribute to the advancement of research on AR and cognitive load. More research is definitely needed.

DOES PLAYING LOCATION-BASED AUGMENTED REALITY GAME INCREASES THE LEVEL OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY?

Recently, there are an increasing trend in location-based augmented reality (AR) games that require players to move around physically to acquire the in-game features as well as game bonuses. The introduction of this location-based augmented reality (AR) games, specifically, Pokémon Go, has made the players physically move around to achieve higher levels and indirectly, improves the level of physical activity. Thus, the objective of the current study is to examine the association between the time spent playing location-based AR games specifically Pokémon Go, and the level of physical activity of the players in Malaysia. A self-administered questionnaire was circulated among Pokémon Go players and based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 47 players were recruited in the study. Global Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPAQ) was used to identify the level of physical activity. The association between time spent playing Pokémon Go and level of physical activity were examined using the Chi-square test. The results of the current study showed no significant association between days spent playing Pokémon Go and level of physical activity (p = .14), hours spent playing Pokémon Go and physical activity (p = .516), or between daily hours spent playing Pokémon Go and daily sedentary time (p = .283). Nevertheless, the mean of the study reported that the physical activity level of the players increased concurrently as the player’s game frequency increases. Further studies are required to shed light on how location-based AR games can be implemented as potential strategies to engage an active lifestyle.

Group polarisation among location-based game players: an analysis of use and attitudes towards game slang

PurposeThis study investigates how game design, which divides players into static teams, can reinforce group polarisation. The authors study this phenomenon from the perspective of social identity in the context of team-based location-based games, with a focus on game slang.Design/methodology/approachThe authors performed an exploratory data analysis on an original dataset of n = 242,852 messages from five communication channels to find differences in game slang adoption between three teams in the location-based augmented reality game Pokémon GO. A divisive word “jym” (i.e. a Finnish slang derivative of the word “gym”) was discovered, and players' attitudes towards the word were further probed with a survey (n = 185). Finally, selected participants (n = 25) were interviewed in person to discover any underlying reasons for the observed polarised attitudes.FindingsThe players' teams were correlated with attitudes towards “jym”. Face-to-face interviews revealed association of the word to a particular player subgroup and it being used with improper grammar as reasons for the observed negative attitudes. Conflict over (virtual) territorial resources reinforced the polarisation.Practical implicationsGame design with static teams and inter-team conflict influences players' social and linguistic identity, which subsequently may result in divisive stratification among otherwise cooperative or friendly player-base.Originality/valueThe presented multi-method study connecting linguistic and social stratification is a novel approach to gaining insight on human social interactions, polarisation and group behaviour in the context of location-based games.