Evaluation of Interaction Techniques for Early Phase Satellite Design in Immersive Augmented Reality

Abstract

The development of a satellite is a complex endeavor, requiring expertise in numerous different domains, such as mathematics, physics and engineering. Scientists and engineers are facing the challenge of explaining their special knowledge to experts of other subject areas. In order to communicate the specific constraints of their respective subsystem appropriately, creative communication methods, such as 3D visualizations are necessary. Due to communicative misinterpretation of the requirements a time-consuming process to the construction of a satellite arises. Recent display technologies developed for immersive augmented reality (AR) offer new ways of presenting and interacting with computer-generated content. The aim is to ensure a fast and intuitive interaction with the virtual objects in order to enable a quick visualization of the placed objects. The integrated hand gesture technique is compared with an external controller-based interaction technique by using an optical see-through head-mounted display. For this purpose a virtual satellite with corresponding manipulable components is being designed and the interaction controls are being implemented. Finally, a user study is conducted to evaluate the usability and difference of the developed interaction techniques. Advantages and disadvantages of manipulation methods concerning the satellite assembly task in AR, as well as potentials for the enhancement of the proposed user’s interface, are revealed.