Designing Synchronised Multi-user Augmented Reality Experiences

Abstract

With the recent advances in AR technology, there is now the possibility to create multi-user experiences that are completely synchronised between users. This thesis defines and explores the domain of Synchronised Multi-user Augmented Reality Experience (SMARE). Existing literature and applications within the area are examined and three different prototypes are created and evaluated in order to define a set of guidelines for aspects to consider when designing SMAREs. Through a process of iteratively developing prototypes and guidelines, a set of guidelines consisting of five categories with a total of 18 guidelines is defined. The results of the prototyping are AR-Showcase, AR-Racing and LumbAR which are three rather different mobile AR applications that attempt to explore different parts of the design space. The final set of guidelines is not exhaustive and rather than acting as strict rules, the guidelines should be seen as areas worth considering when designing SMAREs, and also interesting areas for further research on the subject. Even though the guidelines were developed from mobile AR applications, the goal was to make them as general as possible so that they could be used for other platforms and technologies as well.