AdapTables: Using Conformal Mapping for Collaboration on Tables in Asymmetric Mixed Reality

Abstract

Remote meeting applications are becoming more immersive by supporting virtual reality, however, support for augmented reality devices is still lingering. For augmented reality to be integrated, the asymmetry between the local spaces of the users needs to be solved, to which we contribute by focusing on the mismatch between tables. We present the AdapTables system, which maps a virtual reality user's virtual meeting table onto an augmented reality user's differently shaped physical table. By creating conformal maps between these tables, remote users can be transported to the environment of the other user. Additionally, shared virtual objects are also mapped to adapt to each user's table. We tested the system with 32 participants in pairs of two.