Augmented reality evaluation: A concept utilizing virtual reality

Abstract

In recent years the field of augmented reality (AR) has seen great advances in interaction, tracking and rendering. New input devices and mobile hardware have enabled entirely new interaction concepts for AR content. The high complexity of AR applications results in lacking usability evaluation practices on part of the developer. In this paper, we present a thorough classification of factors influencing user experience, split into the broad categories of rendering, tracking and interaction. Based on these factors, we propose an architecture for evaluating AR experiences prior to deployment in an adapted virtual reality (VR) environment. Thus we enable rapid prototyping and evaluation of AR applications especially suited for applications in challenging industrial AR projects. © 2014 Springer International Publishing.