Evaluating Outside the Box: Lessons Learned on eXtended Reality Multi-modal Experiments Beyond the Laboratory

Abstract

Over time, numerous multimodal eXtended Reality (XR) user studies have been conducted in laboratory environments, with participants fulfilling tasks under the guidance of a researcher. Although generalizable results contributed to increase the maturity of the field, it is also paramount to address the ecological validity of evaluations outside the laboratory. Despite real-world scenarios being clearly challenging, successful in-situ and remote deployment has become realistic to address a broad variety of research questions, thus, expanding participants' sample to more specific target users, considering multi-modal constraints not reflected in controlled laboratory settings and other benefits. In this paper, a set of multimodal XR experiments conducted outside the laboratory are described (e.g., industrial field studies, remote collaborative tasks, longitudinal rehabilitation exercises). Then, a list of lessons learned is reported, illustrating challenges, and opportunities, aiming to increase the level of awareness of the research community and facilitate performing further evaluations.