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Visualising Location-Based Information using Augmented Reality

Abstract
The use of augmented reality extends navigation in location-based mobile applications. This thesis introduces the concept of narrative navigation and describes the design and testing of four mobile application prototypes that explore the proof-of-concept for narrative navigation. We explored the work related to Augmented Reality and navigation and found that no scholars have focused on the use of Augmented Reality by navigating users in the context of location-based stories. This thesis aims to answer the research question of how Augmented Reality visualisations can reflect location-based data to tell a story on mobile devices. While typical navigation only involves guidance to a single point, narrative navigation requires navigation that focuses on the linearity of the story. The goal of our research is to investigate how augmented reality can be used to visualize location-based information for navigation in a storytelling environment. We carried out the design, development, and testing of the Initial Digital Prototype, exploring the use of Augmented Reality technology to display the Point of Interest (POI) position, direction, distance, and story chapter order, and guide users to the next location in the story. In the subsequent Paper Prototype, we explored four navigation visualisations, showing the next story element through stylized flags of varying heights. We found that showing the next story location nearer to the bottom of the screen was the most successful way to guide users, but also found that many participants preferred to show location order by distance. In the Narrative Navigation Prototype, further POI design options are explored. We improved details such as size, quantity, description and the spacing of POIs, the camera tilt display, and the use of indicator arrows. In the Final Prototype, the concept of narrative navigation was confirmed by the positive evaluation of participants and confirmation of user interactions provided by our behavioural tracking maps that were used to observe participant movements and prototype interactions. The thesis contributions include four insights into the concept of narrative navigation. The first is the use of augmented reality to visualise location-based stories on mobile phones; the second is to highlight the importance of showing the next location in the story sequence, which has been almost absent in related work. Removing visited story chapters will facilitate navigation and narrative ordering; and finally, the use of directional indicators that guide the small phone screen to connect to the real world. We have shown that narrative navigation is a promising concept that can expand application scenarios based on location information.
Type
Thesis
Type of thesis
Series
Citation
Date
2023
Publisher
The University of Waikato
Rights
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