Enhancing user experience when displaying 3D models and animation information on mobile platforms: an augmented reality approach

Abstract: Context. Augmented Reality (AR) is a technique that provides additional and varied information to a real environment. The compatibility to smartphones makes AR applications suitable for location based, social, advertisement as well as education oriented applications. Objectives. This study explores if AR is a suitable method of information visualization that can enhance User Experience(UX) comparedto more traditional methods. The information this project focuses on is 3D model and animation information. Methods. This work utilizes a comparative experiment where subjects get to test and evaluate two prototypes, one consisting of static, rendered images and a video and the other being an interactive mobileAR application. Results. Results were gathered with the Attrakdiff™ User Experience questionnaire and an interview. Conclusions. The experiment showed that there is a possibility to enhance user experience when visualizing 3D model and animation information with the help of mobile AR applications.