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Augmented Reality (AR) is a key technology in the transition to Industry 4.0 and smart manufacturing, gaining reputation in a wide range of industrial fields One promising application is in another field of Industry 4.0, the data monitoring, where AR can be used to visualize and interact with complex and big data in real time, potentially improving the efficiency and accuracy of decision-making In this work, we propose a Pervasive AR tool for data monitoring, developed in collaboration with industry partners. An web application of the same data monitoring function is also created for comparison purposes A Human-Centered Design (HCD) methodology was used to identify the needs and requirements of industrial analysts, which led to the development of these systems Preliminary user studies, with 17 participants having distinct levels of expertise in industry, data analysis and computer science, were conducted to collect opinions and suggestions for improvements, as well as, quantitative data regarding the technologies considered A succeeding user study was then prepared, in which 12 participants used two conditions (C1 — Hands-free Pervasive AR tool for HMDs and C2 — Web tool for tablet devices) to fulfill a set of data monitoring tasks in an industry assembly line The result of these studies confirm the potential of Pervasive AR for data monitoring, as it engages users, promote environmental awareness, contextualizes data and allows fast self-localization. [Display omitted] • Two user studies with more than 10 participants each, industrial settings tasks. • Understand which method (Web or AR) stands out according to the task characteristic. • The findings reveal that certain methods were more effective for types of task. • Display methods significantly influenced participants across analysis. • These studies confirm the potential of Pervasive AR for data monitoring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Gathering data on the field is a crucial task in many disciplines. Moreover, in the Geosciences the GPS positioning is relevant to the data acquisition as well as to the planning of the fieldwork. Nowadays, mobile devices are widespread, constituting an accessible platform consisting of single devices coupled with different sensors for data acquisition, such as GPS, compass, magnetometer, etc. Emerging technologies such as Augmented Reality (AR) enable the use of these devices as a software platform to complement the perception of our surrounding environment. Despite the fact that there are several AR applications focused on different aspects of Geosciences, a comprehensive fieldwork oriented system, which can be easily adapted to the community needs, is still missing. Based on a multidisciplinary work between professionals from Geosciences and Computer Sciences, we designed and developed a framework based AR system named ARGeo. The proposed system constitutes a complementing tool for the geologist's fieldwork carefully designed to be used in remote sites, using only the mobile device hardware and without the need of an internet connection for data acquisition. ARGeo complements the fieldwork observation and the precise recording of geological data needed, e.g., for the interpretation of folded structures. It allows the user to register geo-tagged information such as points of interests (i.e. references on the field or the fold itself) using natural interactions. In addition, it provides two novel features: an interactive dipping plane measurement from distant points of view and a back-in-time visualization of previous recorded positions, in order to help understanding the spatial relations among the recorded samples. Pilot studies were conducted with domain experts of geology and they agree on the potential of the system. Results point out that ARGeo naturally integrates mobile devices and AR to the geologists' fieldwork. Its possible extension with new features to the Geosciences as well as to other application fields is detailed. Highlights • A mobile Augmented Reality application oriented to Geologist fieldwork. • ARGeo provides specialized features to assist the geologist during the fold structures interpretation and analysis. • ARGeo does not need GSM coverage or internet access to operate. • An extensible framework-based approach was used. • Field tests with domain experts were conducted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Virtual reality (VR) has gained popularity across industries for its ability to engage users on a level unprecedented by print or 2-D media; however, few guidelines exist for the use of VR technologies in technical and professional communication (TPC) curricula. To address this need, this experience report details the study of a recognizable and adopted set of VR devices to promote understanding of the ways in which emerging VR technologies provide new approaches to pedagogy. Literature review: Drawing from literature in computer science, communication studies, and anthropology, as well as embodiment and phenomenology, the authors provide a historical account of VR development. About the study: Using three concurrent case studies and qualitative interviews, the authors share their deployment of three low-end to high-end VR devices: Google Cardboard, Google Daydream View, and HTC Vive. Using a modified heuristic, the authors assess the functions, features, and uses of the devices; showcase current or potential deployments; and for triangulation, provide a user study of two devices. Results/discussion: VR immersion can provide students with a deeper understanding of course content; immersion in future workplaces can give students an initial vision of their project and profession; concepts can be seen from new vantage points; and user themes include felt experience, sense and sensibility, agency and autonomy, and constant identities. Together, these themes provide an entry into discussions of designing VR content for technical and professional communication. Conclusion: The authors discuss limitations to VR integration and provide resources so practitioners might implement VR in engaging and relevant ways. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An augmented reality browser is an alternative of a web browser in augmented spaces, which aimed at navigating and publishing overlaid interactive contents. This enabled end users to explore digital information on existing points of interests (POIs) and the application developers to publish overlaid information in the form of layers and channels, etc. These browsing interfaces were vital for publishing and locating contents to unfold the potential of augmented spaces. This paper contributed an analytical review on the recent emergence of mobile augmented reality browsers from the perspective of technological information publishing and usage scenarios. This comparative analysis of the augmented reality browsers would help researchers and industrial scientists to identify the most relevant augmented reality browser for specific applications like object tracking, content overlaying, and ensuring realism up to major extent. This study would also provide guidelines for next generation enriched, seamless and adaptive augmented reality browsers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Web evolved much more rapidly than was probably envisioned when it was invented two decades ago. The authors present their vision for the Web's next two decades by identifying important research directions that can help extend its reach further. The Web extra at https://youtu.be/2Pd6bnxCknk is a video in which author Vishnu S. Pendyala expands on the article "The Web That Extends beyond the World," discussing the future of the Web, and how it can extend to other planets. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This paper focuses on online scene learning and fast camera relocalisation which are two key problems currently limiting the performance of wide area augmented reality systems. Firstly, we propose to use adaptive random trees to deal with the online scene learning problem. The algorithm can provide more accurate recognition rates than traditional methods, especially with large scale workspaces. Secondly, we use the enhanced PROSAC algorithm to obtain a fast camera relocalisation method. Compared with traditional algorithms, our method can significantly reduce the computation complexity, which facilitates to a large degree the process of online camera relocalisation. Finally, we implement our algorithms in a multithreaded manner by using a parallel-computing scheme. Camera tracking, scene mapping, scene learning and relocalisation are separated into four threads by using multi-CPU hardware architecture. While providing real-time tracking performance, the resulting system also possesses the ability to track multiple maps simultaneously. Some experiments have been conducted to demonstrate the validity of our methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Augmented reality (AR) is a field of computer research which deals with the combination of real world and computer generated data. Registration is one of the most difficult problems currently limiting the usability of AR systems. In this paper, we propose a novel natural feature tracking based registration method for AR applications. The proposed method has following advantages: (1) it is simple and efficient, as no man-made markers are needed for both indoor and outdoor AR applications; moreover, it can work with arbitrary geometric shapes including planar, near planar and non planar structures which really enhance the usability of AR systems. (2) Thanks to the reduced SIFT based augmented optical flow tracker, the virtual scene can still be augmented on the specified areas even under the circumstances of occlusion and large changes in viewpoint during the entire process. (3) It is easy to use, because the adaptive classification tree based matching strategy can give us fast and accurate initialization, even when the initial camera is different from the reference image to a large degree. Experimental evaluations validate the performance of the proposed method for online pose tracking and augmentation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Digitalization of production environment, also called Industry 4.0 (the term invented by Wahlster Wolfgang in Germany) is now one of the hottest topics in the computer science departments at universities and companies. One of the most significant topics in this area is augmented reality (AR). The interest in AR has grown especially after the introduction of the Microsoft HoloLens in 2016, which made this technology available for researchers and developers all around the world. It is divided into numerous subtopics and technologies. These wireless, see-through glasses give a very natural human-machine interface, with the possibility to present certain necessary information right in front of the user's eyes as 3D virtual objects, in parallel with the observation of the real world, and the possibility to communicate with the system by simple gestures and speech. Scientists noted that in-depth studies connected to the effects of AR applications are presently sparse. In the first part of this paper, the authors recall the research from 2019 about the new method of manual wiring support with the AR glasses. In the second part, the study (tests) for this method carried out by the research team is described. The method was applied in the actual production environment with consideration of the actual production process, which is manual wiring of the industrial enclosures (control cabinets). Finally, authors deliberate on conclusions, technology's imperfections, limitations, and future possible development of the presented solution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Augmented reality platforms are black-boxed behind proprietary algorithms • The "daimon" helps us understand algorithms within augmented reality environments • Contemporary augmented reality platforms emerged within military-industrial contexts • Fictional accounts of speculative technologies offer insights into augmented reality • Writing studies must develop AR writing practices through creative applications This article develops a theoretical framework for studying the algorithmic underpinnings of contemporary augmented reality technologies. We delineate this framework through the rhetorical figure of the "daimon," a greek mythological entity as well as a technical concept within computer science, to articulate an approach to AR algorithms as emergent, material processes that can create unpredicted, unintended effects. Ultimately, we argue that the conceptual framework of the "daimon" provides an interface through which writing and rhetoric scholars can better discern the algorithmic effects of emerging AR composing platforms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Achieving accurate registration between real and synthetic worlds is one of the most difficult problems in augmented reality (AR) systems. A proposed real-time camera-pose estimation method solves the registration problem for wide-area AR applications through two unique features. First, this method employs multiple maps and local bundle adjustment, which solve problems associated with online scene reconstruction. This enables the registration to work without prior knowledge of natural scenes, thus greatly enhancing AR systems' usability. Second, this method redefines the class of traditional ferns and proposes a recognition technique for online learning and recognition of keyframes. (A fern is a nonhierarchical structure consisting of a small set of binary tests; it returns the probability that an image patch belongs to any one of the learned classes.) The result is a system that can learn keyframes dynamically and switch between different scenes automatically, even in large-scale workspaces. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]