Short answer

Design AR interactions for public transport to be as unobtrusive as possible, favouring subtle inputs over broad gestures.

Field: User-Centred Design
Source: Proceedings of the ACM on Interactive Mobile Wearable and Ubiquitous Technologies (2023)
Method: Mixed Reality Composite Video Survey
Sample: 131 participants
Evidence: Moderate effect

When designing augmented reality experiences for public transport, prioritizing interaction methods that are less conspicuous and do not require large physical gestures will lead to greater user comfort and social acceptance. This user-centred design research insight is drawn from a 2023 study published in Proceedings of the ACM on Interactive Mobile Wearable and Ubiquitous Technologies. Using Mixed reality composite video survey with 131 participants, researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: Design AR interactions for public transport to be as unobtrusive as possible, favouring subtle inputs over broad gestures.

Study

User-Centred DesignRecentModerate effect

Discreet AR interactions are more socially acceptable in confined public transport.

Proceedings of the ACM on Interactive Mobile Wearable and Ubiquitous Technologies · 2023

Key Findings

01Discreet input methods (e.g., subtle hand movements, device-based controls) were rated as more socially acceptable than overt mid-air gestures.
02Seating arrangements, particularly face-to-face configurations, significantly influenced the perceived acceptability of AR interactions.
03Environment-based interactions (e.g., interacting with virtual elements anchored to the physical environment) were generally well-received when discreet.

Application

Design takeaway

Design AR interactions for public transport to be as unobtrusive as possible, favouring subtle inputs over broad gestures.

How to apply

When developing AR applications for use on trains or buses, test interaction designs with users in simulated or actual public transport settings, focusing on how their actions might be perceived by others.

Project actions

01When researching user needs for a product, consider the social context of its use.
02Use video mockups to test user reactions to different design concepts in realistic scenarios.

Method & Evidence

AimWhat AR interaction techniques are perceived as most socially acceptable by passengers in confined public transport environments?

MethodMixed Reality Composite Video Survey

ProcedureParticipants viewed mixed reality composite videos depicting a user interacting with AR in various public transport seating arrangements and rated the social acceptability of different interaction types (body-based, device-based, environment-based).

Sample131 participants

ContextPublic transport (e.g., trains, buses)

Variables

IV["Type of AR interaction (body-based, device-based, environment-based)","Seating arrangement (e.g., face-to-face, side-by-side)"]

DVPerceived social acceptability/comfort

CV["Type of public transport environment (simulated)","AR headset appearance (consistent across videos)","Virtual content being interacted with (consistent across videos)"]

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

+Utilized a novel mixed reality composite video method for controlled evaluation.
+Investigated a range of interaction types and seating configurations relevant to public transport.

Limitations

It's hard to perfectly recreate the feeling of using AR in a real public space. Video surveys are a good proxy but might miss some real-world complexities.

Reliability & validity

The use of controlled videos enhances the reliability of comparing different conditions. However, the ecological validity might be limited as it's a simulated experience.

Think critically

How might cultural differences influence the perceived social acceptability of AR interactions in public transport, and how could a design account for this diversity?

Design Principles

"Prioritize social comfort through discreet interaction design in shared public environments."

As AR technology becomes more integrated into daily life, understanding the social dynamics of its use in shared public spaces is crucial. Designers must consider the impact of user behaviour on those around them to ensure widespread adoption and positive user experiences.

What This Means for Your Design

When people use AR on buses or trains, they feel more comfortable if their actions don't look weird or bother others. Small movements or using a phone are better than big, flashy hand waves.

How to use in your project

1.This research can inform the user research phase of your design project by highlighting the importance of social acceptability in product design.

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Quick Cite

Paragraph starter

This research highlights the critical need to consider social comfort when designing for public spaces. The findings suggest that discreet AR interaction methods are significantly more socially acceptable in confined passenger environments than overt mid-air gestures, particularly in face-to-face seating arrangements. Therefore, future design iterations should prioritize subtle input techniques to ensure user acceptance and positive social integration.

Source

Proceedings of the ACM on Interactive Mobile Wearable and Ubiquitous Technologies

Surveying the Social Comfort of Body, Device, and Environment-Based Augmented Reality Interactions in Confined Passenger Spaces Using Mixed Reality Composite Videos

journal · 2023

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Questions About This Research

What does the research say about discreet ar interactions are more socially acceptable in confined public transport?: Design AR interactions for public transport to be as unobtrusive as possible, favouring subtle inputs over broad gestures. Evidence: Proceedings of the ACM on Interactive Mobile Wearable and Ubiquitous Technologies (2023).
Why does "Discreet AR interactions are more socially acceptable in confined public transport." matter for design?: As AR technology becomes more integrated into daily life, understanding the social dynamics of its use in shared public spaces is crucial. Designers must consider the impact of user behaviour on those around them to ensure widespread adoption and positive user experiences.
How can designers apply this research?: Design AR interactions for public transport to be as unobtrusive as possible, favouring subtle inputs over broad gestures.
What were the main findings?: Discreet input methods (e.g., subtle hand movements, device-based controls) were rated as more socially acceptable than overt mid-air gestures.. Seating arrangements, particularly face-to-face configurations, significantly influenced the perceived acceptability of AR interactions.. Environment-based interactions (e.g., interacting with virtual elements anchored to the physical environment) were generally well-received when discreet.
What research method was used?: Mixed Reality Composite Video Survey with 131 participants.
How strong is the evidence?: Evidence strength is rated Moderate effect, based on a 2023 journal from Proceedings of the ACM on Interactive Mobile Wearable and Ubiquitous Technologies.
What should I do differently in my next project?: When developing AR applications for use on trains or buses, test interaction designs with users in simulated or actual public transport settings, focusing on how their actions might be perceived by others.
What are the limitations?: The study relied on simulated scenarios using videos, which may not fully capture the nuances of real-world interactions. Participant perceptions could vary based on cultural norms and individual comfort levels.