Reflected Reality: Augmented Reality through the Mirror

Abstract

We propose Reflected Reality: a new dimension for augmented reality that expands the augmented physical space into mirror reflections. By synchronously tracking the physical space in front of the mirror and the reflection behind it using an AR headset and an optional smart mirror component, reflected reality enables novel AR interactions that allow users to use their physical and reflected bodies to find and interact with virtual objects. We propose a design space for AR interaction with mirror reflections, and instantiate it using a prototype system featuring a HoloLens 2 and a smart mirror. We explore the design space along the following dimensions: the user's perspective of input, the spatial frame of reference, and the direction of the mirror space relative to the physical space. Using our prototype, we visualise a use case scenario that traverses the design space to demonstrate its interaction affordances in a practical context. To understand how users perceive the intuitiveness and ease of reflected reality interaction, we conducted an exploratory and a formal user evaluation studies to characterise user performance of AR interaction tasks in reflected reality. We discuss the unique interaction affordances that reflected reality offers, and outline possibilities of its future applications.