Mobile innovation: designing and evaluating situated simulations

Abstract

This article describes the development of a prototyped digital genre: situated simulations. A situated simulation is a kind of mobile augmented reality system used to augment specific places with additional information about the environment. In the article we present the basic features of the system and discuss several implementations where past topics—historical buildings, actions and events—have been evaluated by users on location. We also present some of the hardware and software constraints of the application.

Keywords:

• mobile augmented reality
• mixed reality
• situated simulations

Acknowledgements

The research reported here is part of the INVENTIO-project at the Department of Media and Communication, University of Oslo. The project has been funded by the Norwegian Research Council (The VERDIKT-programme), Norway Open Universities, ABM-utvikling, University of Oslo and Intermedia (UiO). Thanks to all who have made the project possible, particularly the students, staff, and faculty at the Norwegian Institute in Rome and the Norwegian Institute in Athens. Thanks also to colleagues in the INVENTIO-project.