Using AR to support cross-organisational collaboration in dynamic tasks

• Published in: 2009 8th IEEE International Symposium on Mixed and Augmented Reality pp. 3 - 12
• Main Authors: Nilsson, Susanna, Johansson, Bjorn, Jonsson, Arne
• Format: Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: Washington, DC, USA IEEE Computer Society 19.10.2009; IEEE
• Series: ACM Other Conferences
• Subjects: Applied computing; Applied computing > Enterprise computing; Augmented reality; Collaboration; Collaborative tools; Collaborative work; Command and control systems; Computing methodologies; Computing methodologies > Computer graphics; Computing methodologies > Computer graphics > Graphics systems and interfaces; Computing methodologies > Computer graphics > Graphics systems and interfaces > Virtual reality; Crisis management; Human-centered computing; Human-centered computing > Human computer interaction (HCI); Human-centered computing > Human computer interaction (HCI) > Interaction paradigms; Human-centered computing > Human computer interaction (HCI) > Interaction paradigms > Mixed > augmented reality; Human-centered computing > Human computer interaction (HCI) > Interaction paradigms > Virtual reality; Information science; Paper technology; Personnel; Terminology
• ISBN: 9781424453900; 1424453909
• DOI: 10.1109/ISMAR.2009.5336522

This paper presents a study where Augmented Reality (AR) technology has been used as a tool for supporting collaboration between the rescue services, the police and military personnel in a crisis management scenario. There are few studies on how AR systems should be designed to improve cooperation between actors from different organizations while at the same time support individual needs. In the present study an AR system was utilized for supporting joint planning tasks by providing organisation-specific views of a shared working. The study involved a simulated emergency event conducted in close to real settings with representatives from the organisations for which the system is developed. As a baseline, a series of trials without the AR system was carried out. Results show that the users were positive towards the AR system, and would like to use it in real work. They also experience some performance benefits of using the AR system compared to their traditional tools. Finally, the problem of designing for collaborative work as well as the benefits of using an iterative design processes is discussed.