More Like this

1. Framing the Scene: An Examination of Augmented Reality Head Worn Displays in Construction Assembly Tasks

   https://doi.org/10.1109/VRW50115.2020.00246  

   Bloomquist, Eric T.; Gabbard, Joseph L.; Tanous, Kyle; Qin, Yimin; Bulbul, Tanyel (March 2020, 2020 IEEE Conference on Virtual Reality and 3D User Interfaces Abstracts and Workshops (VRW))

   The aim of this work is to examine how augmented reality (AR) head worn displays (HWDs) influence worker task performance in comparison to traditional paper blueprints when assembling three various sized wooden frame walls. In our study, 18 participants assembled three different sized frames using one of the three display conditions (conformal AR interface, tag-along AR interface, and paper blueprints). Results indicate that for large frame assembly, the conformal AR interface reduced assembly errors, yet there were no differences in assembly times between display conditions. Additionally, traditional paper blueprints resulted in significantly faster assembly time for small frame assembly. 

   more » « less
2. The Effect of Interocular Contrast Differences on the Appearance of Augmented Reality Imagery

   https://doi.org/10.1145/3617684  

   Wang, Minqi; Ding, Jian; Levi, Dennis M.; Cooper, Emily A. (January 2024, ACM Transactions on Applied Perception)

   Augmented reality (AR) devices seek to create compelling visual experiences that merge virtual imagery with the natural world. These devices often rely on wearable near-eye display systems that can optically overlay digital images to the left and right eyes of the user separately. Ideally, the two eyes should be shown images with minimal radiometric differences (e.g., the same overall luminance, contrast, and color in both eyes), but achieving this binocular equality can be challenging in wearable systems with stringent demands on weight and size. Basic vision research has shown that a spectrum of potentially detrimental perceptual effects can be elicited by imagery with radiometric differences between the eyes, but it is not clear whether and how these findings apply to the experience of modern AR devices. In this work, we first develop a testing paradigm for assessing multiple aspects of visual appearance at once, and characterize five key perceptual factors when participants viewed stimuli with interocular contrast differences. In a second experiment, we simulate optical see-through AR imagery using conventional desktop LCD monitors and use the same paradigm to evaluate the multi-faceted perceptual implications when the AR display luminance differs between the two eyes. We also include simulations of monocular AR systems (i.e., systems in which only one eye sees the displayed image). Our results suggest that interocular contrast differences can drive several potentially detrimental perceptual effects in binocular AR systems, such as binocular luster, rivalry, and spurious depth differences. In addition, monocular AR displays tend to have more artifacts than binocular displays with a large contrast difference in the two eyes. A better understanding of the range and likelihood of these perceptual phenomena can help inform design choices that support high-quality user experiences in AR. 

   more » « less
3. Compact Stereo Waveguide Display Based on a Unidirectional Polarization-Multiplexed Metagrating In-Coupler

   https://doi.org/doi.org/10.1021/acsphotonics.0c01885  

   Z. Liu, C. Zhang (January 2021, ACS photonics)

   Three-dimensional (3D) vision in augmented reality (AR) displays can enable highly immersive and realistic viewer experience, hence, attracts much attention. Most current approaches create 3D vision by projecting stereoscopic images to different eyes using two separate projection systems, which are inevitably bulky for wearable devices. Here, we propose a compact stereo waveguide AR display system using a single piece of thin flat glass integrated with a polarization-multiplexed metagrating in-coupler and two diffractive grating out-couplers. Incident light of opposite circular polarization states carrying stereoscopic images are first steered by the metagrating in-coupler to opposite propagation directions in the flat glass waveguide, subsequently extracted by the diffractive grating out-couplers, and finally received by different eyes, forming 3D stereo vision. Experimentally, we fabricated a display prototype and demonstrated independent projection of two polarization-multiplexed stereoscopic images. 

   more » « less
4. Evaluating Automotive Augmented Reality Head-up Display Effects on Driver Performance and Distraction

   https://doi.org/10.1109/VRW50115.2020.00128  

   de Oliveira Faria, Nayara (March 2020, 2020 IEEE Conference on Virtual Reality and 3D User Interfaces Abstracts and Workshops (VRW))

   As the automotive industry progresses towards the car of the future, we have seen increasing interest using augmented reality (AR) head-up displays (HUD) in driving. AR HUDs provide a fundamentally new driving experience in which drivers still have to respond to both the road and the information provided by the system, creating the perfect atmosphere for potentially unsafe and distracting interfaces. As we start fielding and designing for new AR HUDs displays, the complexities of interface design and its impacts on driver performance must be further understood before AR HUDs can be broadly and safely incorporated into vehicles. Nevertheless, existing methods for assessing the usefulness of computer-based user interfaces may not be sufficiently rich to measure the overall impact of AR HUD interfaces on human performance. Therefore, in my Ph.D. research, I focus on developing and testing methods to evaluate AR HUDs' effects on driver distraction and performance. My primary goal is to assess glance allocation and visual capabilities of drivers with AR HUDs and apply this knowledge to inform new methods of AR HUD assessment that account for inattentional blindness and cognitive tunneling. 

   more » « less
5. A Pilot Study Comparing User Interactions Between Augmented and Virtual Reality

   https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-47966-3_1  

   Williams, Adam; Zhou, Xiaoyan; Batmaz, Anil_Ufuk; Pahud, Michel; Ortega, Francisco (December 2023, In: Bebis, G., et al. Advances in Visual Computing. ISVC 2023. Lecture Notes in Computer Science)

   Immersive Analytics (IA) and consumer adoption of augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) head-mounted displays (HMDs) are both rapidly growing. When used in conjunction, stereoscopic IA environments can offer improved user understanding and engagement; however, it is unclear how the choice of stereoscopic display impacts user interactions within an IA environment. This paper presents a pilot study that examines the impact of stereoscopic display choice on object manipulation and environmental navigation using consumeravailable AR and VR HMDs. Our observations indicate that the display can impact how users manipulate virtual content and how they navigate the environment. 

   more » « less