Touching the past: developing and evaluating tangible AR interfaces for manipulating virtual representations of historical artefacts

Kobeisse, Suzanne (2023) Touching the past: developing and evaluating tangible AR interfaces for manipulating virtual representations of historical artefacts. Doctoral thesis, Northumbria University.

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Abstract

Tangible User Interfaces (TUIs) and Augmented Reality (AR) are two advanced technologies that are becoming highly integrated into the cultural heritage domain, TUIs give physical form to manipulate digital information, while AR allows superimposing virtual objects in the physical environment. The common sign “do not touch” is visible on every museum visit toalert visitors not to touch the collections on display. This practice-led thesis aimed at developing and evaluating ARcheoBox, a walk-up-and-use tangible augmented reality prototype that would ‘bring historical artefacts to life’ using a collection of Bronze Age artefacts from the Northumberland National Park in the North East of England. While tangible interactions became widely and successfully implemented in museums, exhibits are still site-specific and theme-specific, on the other hand, ARcheoBox employs generic physical objects as tangible AR interfaces that offer physical access to otherwise inaccessible artefacts removing any physical barriers encountered using more common touch screen interface.

The thesis follows a Research through Design (RtD) methodology; supported by the researcher's reflective practitioner lens and co-designing which involved multiple stakeholders in the design process. The practical contribution of this thesis ‘ARcheoBox’demonstrates the implementation of tangible AR interfaces for manipulating virtual representations and interacting with interpretation of historical artefacts in augmented reality. ARcheoBox was installed as a stand-alone exhibit at The Sill: National Landscape Discovery Centre.

The theoretical contribution of this thesis proposes a conceptual framework that contributes original knowledge to the literature on developing and evaluating tangible AR interfaces for manipulating virtual representations of historical artefacts. The conceptual framework presents four core themes: Interactivity, Learning, Engagement, Usability. The core themes encompass four main concepts: Tangible Interfaces, Gesture Interactions, Mapping, andSystem Usability. The four main concepts are aligned to 10 key aspects where each aspect is defined and contributes with design characteristics for ARcheoBox. These key aspects inform the future design space of tangible AR interfaces, and aid to guide the design process of developing and evaluating tangible AR interfaces for manipulating virtual representations of historical artefacts.

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