Examining the Effects of Immersive and Non-Immersive Presenter Modalities on Engagement and Social Interaction in Co-located Augmented Presentations

Research Background and Issues

• What problems or challenges did the authors identify?
  The authors explored the impact of presenters using head-worn displays (HWDs) or tablet devices on social interaction, group awareness, and engagement during co-located augmented reality (AR) presentations. While symmetric presentation modes can enhance the immersive experience of AR content, head-worn devices may hinder important social interaction cues (e.g., eye contact), thereby reducing the quality of social interaction. Additionally, prolonged use of head-worn devices by presenters may cause discomfort and fatigue. Asymmetric modes, on the other hand, may perform better in social interactions, but the trade-offs between the two remain contentious.

• Why is this issue important?
  Enhancing audience engagement and interaction through immersive technologies has become a critical topic in education, healthcare, marketing, and public presentation scenarios. Striking a balance between immersive experiences and social interaction is crucial for improving presentation effectiveness. Furthermore, existing research has not sufficiently explored the advantages and disadvantages of symmetric and asymmetric AR modes in face-to-face scenarios.

• Research Motivation and Related Work
  Related studies have shown that AR technology can facilitate learning and communication by enhancing visual effects and interaction. However, the impact of different technological modes (symmetric or asymmetric) on group awareness and interaction quality has not been deeply investigated. Similar research has examined the effects of symmetric and asymmetric designs in virtual reality (VR) scenarios on remote collaboration and learning, but there is a lack of analysis focused on face-to-face interactive presentations.

Solution

• What methods or solutions did the authors propose?
  The authors designed and implemented an augmented reality presentation system that allows the audience to view dynamic augmented content through head-worn devices, while the presenter can choose to deliver the presentation in either a symmetric mode (using a head-worn device) or an asymmetric mode (using a tablet). This design aims to explore the impact of the two presentation modes on social interaction, group awareness, and audience engagement.

• What are the innovative aspects of this solution?

  1. Direct comparison of symmetric and asymmetric modes: The symmetric and asymmetric modes are placed within the same experimental framework to explore the specific advantages and disadvantages of each approach.
  2. Dynamic user interface design: A unique interface was designed for the presenter, including features such as real-time perspective sharing and a virtual pointer system, enabling flexible control of interactive content and spatial referencing with the audience.
  3. Combination of qualitative and quantitative analysis: A comprehensive evaluation of user experience was conducted using questionnaires, behavioral observations, and interviews.

• What were the implementation steps and key technologies used?

  1. Developed AR presentation content, showcasing U.S. population migration and growth data through maps and 2D/3D charts.
  2. Designed an AR head-worn device interface for the audience, allowing independent exploration of the content.
  3. Created presenter interfaces for both symmetric and asymmetric modes, integrating features such as projection, focus tracking, and pointer control.
  4. Conducted user studies with 12 participant groups, combining questionnaires, behavioral analysis, and interviews to comprehensively evaluate the impact of the two modes.

Research Findings

• What specific findings were obtained?
  The study found that the symmetric mode was more suitable for fostering group awareness and visual focus (with audiences observing the presenter more frequently), while the asymmetric mode performed better in promoting social interaction and eye contact. Additionally, presenters were more familiar with the asymmetric mode (tablet), making it more practical for real-world use.

• What advantages does this solution have compared to existing ones?
  This study provides a clear comparison of the effects of symmetric and asymmetric modes in AR scenarios, which is relatively rare in existing literature. Moreover, the experimental design offers deep insights into user behavior and interaction patterns, providing guidance for the development of more efficient AR presentation systems.

• What were the experimental or evaluation results?

  1. Engagement: Audiences exhibited higher visual focus in the symmetric mode but preferred eye contact and social interaction in the asymmetric mode.
  2. Group awareness: In the symmetric mode, presenters and audiences found it easier to make spatial references to virtual content, although head-worn devices hindered some interaction cues.
  3. Social interaction: More physical interactions, smiles, and eye contact were observed during asymmetric presentations.

• Limitations and Future Directions

  1. The small sample size (12 participant groups) limits the generalizability of the results.
  2. Participants’ lack of familiarity with the presentation content may have affected the quality of their experience.
  3. Future research could explore larger-scale, long-term studies, especially in real-world work scenarios and with more complex interaction demands. Additionally, the development of more comfortable hardware and improved interface designs could further enhance group awareness and social interaction quality.

Conclusion: The authors systematically analyzed symmetric and asymmetric modes in AR presentations and proposed design guidelines. The findings provide a comprehensive technical foundation and practical insights for optimizing immersive presentation systems, while also highlighting the critical trade-offs between social connection and technological immersion.