Augmented Reality and Maps: New Possibilities for Engaging with Geographic Data

Abstract

Among the systems that aim to help users to perform map reading tasks, augmented reality (AR) is one of the most promising. However, the impact of this new technology in terms of acceptance, motivation and improvement of the learning process has still not been sufficiently explored. This study aims to assess the contribution of an AR system for map reading and for improving users’ understanding of geographic data. Landscape and census data from New Zealand were used to evaluate the performance of an AR system in an experiment involving 60 participants. Differences in the participants’ backgrounds were reflected in the way they completed the task for both printed maps and the AR system and 90% of the participants preferred to work with the AR system rather than with traditional printed maps. Users that had previous experience of the geographical dataset provided performed the task better using only the printed maps, while those without that experience performed better with the AR system.

Keywords:

• geographical space
• 3D relief
• computer systems
• mobile devices
• teaching and learning process
• interactive environment
• augmented reality

Acknowledgement

The authors would like to thank the participants that took part in the experiments as anonymous users.

Additional information

Funding

The authors would like to thank the financial support of CNPq (Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico)/Brazil – Process 459300/2014-8 (MCTI/CNPQ/Universal 2014), 401264/2014-9 (MEC/MCTI/CAPES/CNPQ/FAPS – Bolsa pesquisador visitante especial – PVE – 2014) and 301980/2014-4.

Notes on contributors

Gabriel Henrique de Almeida Pereira

Gabriel Henrique de Almeida Pereira holds a degree in Environmental Engineering from the Federal University of Paraná (2009) and a degree in Technology in Environmental Chemistry from the Technological Federal University of Paraná (2010). He also has a Master's degree in Water Resource and Environmental Engineering from Federal University of Paraná (2013) and a PhD in Geodetic Sciences from Federal University of Paraná. His main areas of research are Environmental Monitoring, Geographic Information Systems, Remote Sensing and Augmented Reality.