Tag-Along Virtual Windows Increase Perceived Resistance and Task Load in Augmented Reality.

Area of Science:

• Human-Computer Interaction
• Virtual Reality
• Augmented Reality

Background:

• Augmented Reality (AR) enhances accessibility by anchoring virtual elements.
• Head-following windows are common in AR, maintaining virtual displays in the user's field of view.
• Previous research focused on user experience and efficiency, not perceived resistance.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the perceived resistance of head-following virtual windows in AR.
• To understand how Follow-Up Delay, Window Size, and UI Type affect perceived resistance.
• To extend pseudo-haptics research into head-based AR interactions.

Main Methods:

• A within-subject experiment was conducted with 24 participants.
• Independent variables included Follow-Up Delay, Window Size, and UI Type.
• Dependent measures were subjective resistance ratings, NASA-TLX scores, and gaze-head angular offset.

Main Results:

• A specific Follow-Up Delay and the Tag-Along UI type significantly increased perceived resistance and task load.
• Window Size did not significantly affect resistance ratings independently.
• An interaction effect was found between Window Size and UI Type on resistance.

Conclusions:

• Perceived resistance is a significant factor in head-following AR window design.
• Follow-Up Delay and UI Type are key design parameters influencing perceived resistance.
• Findings offer design implications for creating more intuitive and comfortable head-following windows in AR.