Exploring Immersive AR Instructions for Procedural Tasks: The Role of Depth, Motion, and Volumetric Representations

Wearable Augmented Reality (W-AR) is based on getting a computer as intimate as possible with the wearers' bodies and senses. We need to understand the cognitive and perceptual mechanisms leveraged by this technology and use them for designing AR applications. In this study we explored the potential benefit of W-AR to guide a procedural task of assembling a LEGO™ compared to traditional paper instructions. We measured the time used to complete each step and the subjective perception of helpfulness and effectiveness of the instructions along with the perceived time spent doing the task. The results show that adding motion cues to an AR stereo visualization of the instructions (Dynamic 3D) improved performance compared to both the paper instructions and an AR version with stereo only but no motion (Static 3D). Interestingly, performance for the Static 3D condition was the slowest of the three. Subjective reports did not show any difference across different instruction types, suggesting that advantage of Dynamic 3D instructions are not accessible by covert awareness of the participants. The results provide support to the idea that principles of neurosciences may have direct implications for the product development in Wearable Augmented Reality.