Measuring User Experience, Usability and Interactivity of a Personalized Mobile Augmented Reality Training System

Area of Science:

• Firefighting Technology
• Human-Computer Interaction
• Educational Technology

Background:

• Innovative technologies are crucial for enhancing firefighter safety and operational effectiveness.
• Augmented reality (AR) has demonstrated significant pedagogical benefits in various training domains, including welding, aviation, and military applications.
• The application of AR in firefighting training remains an under-researched area, presenting a gap in current technological adoption for emergency services.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the key factors influencing the acceptance and adoption of augmented reality (AR) systems by firefighters.
• To extend the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) by incorporating perceived interactivity and personalization as external constructs.
• To identify specific system and individual-level variables that impact firefighters' behavioral intentions to use AR training tools.

Main Methods:

• A modified Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) was employed, integrating perceived interactivity and personalization.
• The proposed model was empirically evaluated using data collected from a sample of 200 firefighter users.
• Statistical analysis was conducted to assess the direct and indirect effects of usability, ease of use, interactivity, and personalization on AR system acceptance.

Main Results:

• Perceived interactivity and perceived personalization were identified as essential prerequisite factors for extending the TAM in the context of AR firefighting training.
• System usability emerged as the strongest predictor of firefighters' behavioral intentions to adopt AR systems.
• Ease of use also demonstrated a significant, albeit smaller, direct and indirect influence on firefighters' intentions to utilize AR training technologies.

Conclusions:

• The study highlights the critical role of usability and ease of use in driving the acceptance of AR training systems among firefighters.
• Incorporating perceived interactivity and personalization is vital for developing effective AR training solutions tailored to the needs of the firefighting domain.
• Findings provide actionable insights for AR developers to enhance firefighter training experiences by focusing on identified acceptance factors.