Simulation of Augmented Reality Systems in Purely Virtual Environments

• Published in: 2009 IEEE Virtual Reality Conference pp. 287 - 288
• Main Authors: Ragan, E., Wilkes, C., Bowman, D.A., Hollerer, T.
• Format: Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: IEEE 01.03.2009
• Subjects: AR simulation; Augmented reality; Computational modeling; Computer science; Computer simulation; Displays; Error correction; registration error; System testing; Usability; Virtual environment; Virtual reality
• ISBN: 9781424439430; 1424439434
• ISSN: 1087-8270
• DOI: 10.1109/VR.2009.4811058

We propose the use of virtual environments to simulate augmented reality (AR) systems for the purposes of experimentation and usability evaluation. This method allows complete control in the AR environment, providing many advantages over testing with true AR systems. We also discuss some of the limitations to the simulation approach. We have demonstrated the use of such a simulation in a proof of concept experiment controlling the levels of registration error in the AR scenario. In this experiment, we used the simulation method to investigate the effects of registration error on task performance for a generic task involving precise motor control for AR object manipulation. Isolating jitter and latency errors, we provide empirical evidence of the relationship between accurate registration and task performance.