Empirical evaluation of augmented information presentation on small form factors - navigation assistant scenario

Mobile Augmented Reality (MAR) enabled devices will have the capability to present a large amount of information in real time, based on sensors that determine proximity, visual reference, maps, and detailed information on the environment. This poses a challenge of presenting the information such that there is no cognitive overload for the user and the augmented information that is presented is useful and meaningful to the user. This study examined the user tolerance and identified acceptable values for the performance characteristics of the augmented information presented on - density of information, accuracy of information, delay in information presentation, and error rate. Results indicate that the amount of information presented depends on the type of activity that the user is interested in. For example, in the case of density of information - participants were interested in seeing about 7 items identified at a time. With 11 items, most were overwhelmed, but 4 items were not enough. However, desired information density depends on the information shown, and the participants wanted to control the type of information shown. The findings of the study can be used as design guidelines for MAR information overlay on small screens.