Enhancing User Experience in Mobile-based Augmented Reality during Dynamic Content Delivery

Abstract

ABSTRACT Augmented Reality (AR) is defined as the technology and methods that combine real-world objects and computer-generated content. With the proliferation of mobile devices, Mobile Augmented Reality (MAR) has emerged as the most popular and most convenient form of augmented reality. MAR applications can be implemented in two ways. Conventionally and dynamically. In a dynamic nature, content is loaded from an external server. However, the major problem with loading data from external servers/clouds is that it takes time to load content. In MAR applications, users must continuously position the camera towards the target until content is loaded to the screen. But, due to the delay in loading the target, users may not continuously position the camera toward the target and don't keep their attention towards the target, until processing the content. Hence, methods need to be introduced to keep the attention of the users. This research considered the methods to enhance the user experience while content is being loaded onto the mobile screen. First, a prototype is developed without any enhancements with three types of content (Text, Image, and Video) needed to be loaded onto the screen using Unity Vuforia and Firebase technologies. With the questionnaire using 20 participants, it is identified that, with the content becoming greater, there is a need to improve the user experience while content is being loaded. Then, with the help of a literature survey, five prototypes were developed using different types of enhancements with the target being to improve the user experience while video content is being loaded. Then, another questionnaire was performed with the same 20 participants to compare these five prototypes with the previous prototype with no enhancements. According to the results from the calculations, it can be concluded that the usage of enhancements has a positive impact on user experience. Hence, it can be concluded that there is a significant importance in improving the user experience when content is loaded in a dynamic nature.