[ChineseCHI 2018] Employing different viewpoints for remote guidance in a collaborative augmented environment

Abstract

This paper details the design, implementation and an initial evaluation of a collaborative platform named OptoBridge, which is aimed at enhancing remote guidance and skill acquisition for spatially distributed users. OptoBridge integrates augmented reality (AR), gesture interaction with video mediated communication and is preliminarily applied to the experimental teaching of the adjustment task with Michelson interferometer. An exploratory study has been conducted to qualitatively and quantitatively evaluate the extent to which different viewpoints affect the student’s sense of presence, task performance, learning outcomes and subjective feelings in the remote collaborative augmented environment. 16 students from local universities have participated in the evaluation. The result shows the influence of two different viewpoints and indicates that OptoBridge can effectively support remote guidance and enhance the collaborators’ experience.