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Extended reality (XR) enables both new opportunities but also introduces new barriers for inclusion in society. Furthermore, XR is less researched than web, desktop and mobile applications. This position paper presents the concept of an XR platform for inclusion, with the purpose to make people on the autism spectrum and with other disabilities, more independent of help from others in everyday life situations. Based on previous research, our position is that, through current and future XR technologies combined with civic and artificial intelligence, it is possible to create individually personalised support for this purpose, grounded in practice to ensure validation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently, I was at a Microsoft Technology Center to discuss the augmented reality (AR) technology developed in my lab for treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). We also explored the possibility of using artificial intelligence (AI) to automate interactions with digital AR characters. We were also given a tour of the Microsoft 365 Copilot AI technology. This experience, along with my upcoming experiences with the rapidly evolving and publicly available AI technology, triggered a series of questions and reflections about the use of AI in scientific work and writing. In this article, the author reflects upon recent advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) technologies have led to profound discussions about AI's role in scientific research and education. AI technologies are now capable of summarizing and analyzing large volumes of data, creating presentations, and even drafting parts of scientific papers and grants with minimal human input. With their exponential ongoing advancements, they will become even more capable in doing these tasks. As boundaries between humans and AI blurs, serious questions arise about the future roles, responsibilities, and identity of academic researchers, intellectual property, publishing and grantsmanship, and equity in the world of AI potentiated research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work developed a simple, easy-to-prepare, and inexpensive indicator (R-Paper) based on rub-coating of red cabbage on readily available paper substrates to detect the freshness of fish in out-of-lab settings. A single-step rub-coating method was used to incorporate anthocyanins on paper substrates, without the extraction of the compound from red cabbage. The preparation of the indicator and its usage is quick and does not require additional chemicals, personnel expertise, or laboratory facilities. The functional colorimetric interface created by directly rubbing red cabbage on paper was used for fish quality monitoring, which displayed a naked-eye detectable color change from purple (for fresh fish) to blue (for spoiling fish) and then to blue-green (for spoiled fish), corresponding to total volatile basic nitrogen (TVB-N) and pH changes. To provide a user-friendly quantitative analysis of this color change, we used the free Android software Color Grab to quantify the color using L* , a* , b* , and RGB indices. To the best of our knowledge, this work is the first report on an indicator prepared by rub-coating red cabbage onto paper-based substrates for fish spoilage monitoring through smartphone-based analysis. To verify that the R-Paper indicator performs on a par with the indicators using extracted anthocyanins, its performance was compared with indicators prepared using anthocyanins extracted from red cabbage (AR-Paper). Naked-eye analysis, simple preparation, ease of use, low cost, and free smartphone-based analysis make the R-Paper indicator an appropriate food quality indicator in resource-limited areas. [Display omitted] • A colorimetric indicator prepared by rub-coating red cabbage on paper is developed to assess the freshness of fish. • A cost-free smartphone application was employed for measuring the colorimetric response of the indicator. • The indicator displayed quantifiable colors of purple for fresh fish, blue for spoiling, and blue-green for spoiled fish. • The preparation and usage of the indicator is simple and does not require specialized laboratory equipment or expert users. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] We present a mixed reality interactive storytelling system. [•] Users can freely interact by sketching objects on a sheet of paper. [•] We validate the proposed system with a user study conducted with 21 participants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Paper maps and mobile electronic devices have complementary strengths and shortcomings in outdoor use. In many scenarios, like small craft sailing or cross-country trekking, a complete replacement of maps is neither useful nor desirable. Paper maps are fail-safe, relatively cheap, offer superior resolution and provide large scale overview. In uses like open-water sailing it is therefore mandatory to carry adequate maps/charts. GPS based mobile devices, on the other hand, offer useful features like automatic positioning and plotting, real-time information update and dynamic adaptation to user requirements. While paper maps are now commonly used in combination with mobile GPS devices, there is no meaningful integration between the two, and the combined use leads to a number of interaction problems and potential safety issues. In this paper we explore the design space of augmented paper maps in which maps are augmented with additional functionality through a mobile device to achieve a meaningful integration between device and map that combines their respective strengths. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The popularity of augmented reality (AR) applications on mobile devices is increasing, but there is as yet little research on their use in real-settings. We review data from two pioneering field trials where MapLens, a magic lens that augments paper-based city maps, was used in small-group collaborative tasks. The first study compared MapLens to a digital version akin to Google Maps, the second looked at using one shared mobile device vs. using multiple devices. The studies find place-making and use of artefacts to communicate and establish common ground as predominant modes of interaction in AR-mediated collaboration with users working on tasks together despite not needing to. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

We report the results of a randomized, controlled trial to compare the accuracy of standard ultrasound-guided needle biopsy to biopsies performed using a 3D Augmented Reality (AR) guidance system. A board-certified radiologist conducted 50 core biopsies of breast phantoms, with biopsies randomly assigned to one of the methods in blocks of five biopsies each. The raw ultrasound data from each biopsy was recorded. Another board-certified radiologist, blinded to the actual biopsy guidance mechanism, evaluated the ultrasound recordings and determined the distance of the biopsy from the ideal position. A repeated measures analysis of variance indicated that the head-mounted display method led to a statistically significantly smaller mean deviation from the desired target than did the standard display method (2.48 mm for control versus 1.62 mm for augmented reality, p<0.02). This result suggests that AR systems can offer improved accuracy over traditional biopsy guidance methods. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

• Crime scene investigation training and education has to address specific problem solving and psychomotor skills. • AR technology could improve current training and education approaches when used as a supplementary tool. • Potential challenges and considerations are highlighted that are to be explored before implementing AR technology. The role of the crime scene investigator is complex, and investigators need to be able to conduct multiple frequently performed tasks. Appropriate training and education are critical to impart the crime scene investigator with the necessary capabilities. For a range of reasons, including the COVID-19 pandemic and the need for multi-disciplinary capabilities, training and education requirements have evolved in recent times to be more flexible and accessible. The skills of a crime scene investigator can be broadly categorised into two types of fundamental skills: decision-making and psychomotor skills. Both these skills need to be taught and assessed within training and education programs. The most common approach to impart these skills is by incorporating a crime scene simulation facility; however, not everyone has access to these facilities. Furthermore, crime scene staff often undertake refresher courses and are required to complete proficiency assessments. Conducting these activities in a dedicated crime scene simulation facility is time consuming and costly. Virtual tools have been developed in recent years to address this, but these tools only assess decision-making skills and not psychomotor skills. This paper argues that the implementation of augmented reality (AR) technology should be considered in crime scene investigator training and university education, because it can provide significant advantages when paired with conventional methods of training and education. When appropriately managed, AR can provide an avenue of training where both decision-making and psychomotor skills can be addressed simultaneously, while providing a more flexible and accessible approach. The implementation of AR has the potential to significantly improve the standards of teaching, resulting in better equipped crime scene investigators. The paper will explore how AR has the potential to improve accessibility of training, increase safety, enhance the student experience, enhance collaboration and feedback through connectivity and potentially reduce cost. This paper will also provide an insight into what would need to be considered before implementing AR technology into crime scene investigation training and education alongside current approaches. It is argued that the inclusion of AR into the current training and education arsenal provides significant benefits that are worthy of exploration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the current era of Industry 4.0, many new technologies offer manufacturing industries to achieve high productivity. Augmented Reality (AR) is one of the emerging technologies that has been adopted in industries to aid users in acquiring complex skills and carrying out many complicated tasks such product assembly and maintenance. Nevertheless, most AR applications have been developed without clear understanding of how such technology can facilitate improved learnability in terms of knowledge reusability. This paper proposed an enhanced AR-based training system that provides multimodal information with a contextualized information to improve task comprehension and knowledge reusability compared with traditional AR that presents unimodal and decontextualized information. An empirical test was carried out to assess the task performance and the task learnability aspects of this enhanced AR compared to the traditional AR and the paper-based document. The experiment consisted of a training phase where participants carried out an electrical connection task of a sensor followed by a knowledge reuse phase where participants had to wire a second sensor using their previous training. A pre-test quiz was given before the experiment followed by the post-tests phase after the training. Post-tests consist of one post-test given directly after the experiment (short-term retention test) and a second post-test quiz given one week later (long-term retention test) to measure information retention. The results indicated that AR-based approaches could enhance knowledge acquisition by around 18 % for traditional AR and almost 25 % for enhanced AR as compared to paper-based approach. While all training systems achieved relatively equivalent well for short-term retention test, trainees who used the enhanced AR training systems statistically outperformed those in the paper-based group for long term retention test. Furthermore, there was a positive correlation between the score of short-term retention test and the score in the knowledge reusability which was also shown by the higher scores in knowledge reusability for the enhanced AR training system compared to the other two approaches. These findings are discussed in relation to the Industry 5.0′s human centric core value. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) are rapidly developing technologies that may have important healthcare-related applications, including the possible evaluation of the health and performance of astronauts. Advances in the fields of VR/AR and space exploration have independently progressed; however, over the last decade synergies and overlapping applications have emerged between spaceflight and extended reality. This paper is intended to be a resource to update the medical community on the current and future integration of VR and AR into space exploration, particularly as this integration relates to astronaut health. We highlight how these technologies are used in terrestrial healthcare with specific attention to visual function. Furthermore, we elaborate on emerging VR applications being developed for future spaceflight. The paper discusses the current state of the art, such as the Apple Vision Pro headset, and outlines key challenges like mass and volume constraints, power limitations, and the heightened cognitive and physical demands of space travel. It also addresses the potential of VR/AR technologies to mitigate these issues through efficiency, stress reduction, and exercise motivation. Finally, we emphasize the benefits that these technologies provide to overcome possible barriers to long duration spaceflight and manned exploration missions, including spaceflight associated neuro-ocular syndrome (SANS). • Virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) are rapidly developing technologies that may have important healthcare-related applications, including the possible evaluation of the health and performance of astronauts. • This paper is intended to be a resource to update the medical community on the current and future integration of VR and AR into space exploration, particularly as this integration relates to astronaut health. • We highlight how these technologies are used in terrestrial healthcare with specific attention to visual function. Furthermore, we elaborate on emerging VR applications being developed for future spaceflight. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a support tool designed for instructors in technical education within engineering programs, focusing specifically on power electronics and laboratory procedures related to the three-phase half-wave rectifier. The Augmented Reality (AR) application was developed for Android devices using Unity+Vuforia, employing a gamification-based approach. The application allows students to evaluate their knowledge and skills in real-time and offers an interactive learning environment. It provides learning diagnostics and sends each student's evaluation to a database stored on Google-Forms that is accessible by the instructor or assessor in question. It's important to note that this APP is freely accessible through the Android APP store. The learning strategy is around a game that tests players on their knowledge of measuring devices and theoretical concepts. Additionally, there is a puzzle task that encourages learners to correctly arrange the waveforms in a rectifier. Students can also connect the half-wave rectifier's essential connections and the transformer's delta-star connections through touch interaction. A comparison study between traditional teaching methods and the innovative AR-based approach has been conducted. This educational proposal itself is an innovative solution that will be especially helpful for laboratories lacking useful equipment in Mexican colleges. To test the effect of AR application on student success, an experimental study was conducted on two groups of students (a control group [non-using AR] and a test group [using AR]). To determine significant difference in acquired learning, an ANOVA statistical analysis was conducted using independent sample tests. According to tests result, there is a significant difference in the acquired knowledge for those who used the designed tool. The probability value (p = 1e-5 <0.05) for the use of AR is found. They increase their initial average grade from 27.08% to 72.3%, in contrast to the control group with no significant increasing learning, reporting an initial average grade of 28.75–43.33%. These results show that the use of AR in electronic practice makes a significant difference in student success. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Most cultural promotion and dissemination are nowadays performed through the digitization of heritage sites and museums, a necessary requirement to meet the new needs of the public. Augmented Reality (AR), Mixed Reality (MR), and Virtual Reality (VR) have the potential to improve the experience quality and educational effect of these sites by stimulating users' senses in a more natural and vivid way. In this respect, head-mounted display (HMD) devices allow visitors to enhance the experience of cultural sites by digitizing information and integrating additional virtual cues about cultural artifacts, resulting in a more immersive experience that engages the visitor both physically and emotionally. This study contributes to the development and incorporation of AR, MR, and VR applications in the cultural heritage domain by providing an overview of relevant studies utilizing fully immersive systems, such as headsets and CAVE systems, emphasizing the advantages that they bring when compared to handheld devices. We propose a framework study to identify the key features of headset-based Extended Reality (XR) technologies used in the cultural heritage domain that boost immersion, sense of presence, and agency. Furthermore, we highlight core characteristics that favor the adoption of these systems over more traditional solutions (e.g., handheld devices), as well as unsolved issues that must be addressed to improve the guests' experience and the appreciation of the cultural heritage. An extensive search of Google Scholar, Scopus, IEEE Xplore, ACM Digital Library, and Wiley Online Library databases was conducted, including papers published from January 2018 to September 2022. To improve review reporting, the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines were used. Sixty-five papers met the inclusion criteria and were classified depending on the study's purpose: education, entertainment, edutainment, touristic guidance systems, accessibility, visitor profiling, and management. Immersive cultural heritage systems allow visitors to feel completely immersed and present in the virtual environment, providing a stimulating and educational cultural experience that can improve the quality and learning purposes of cultural visits. Nonetheless, the analyzed studies revealed some limitations that must be faced to give a further impulse to the adoption of these technologies in the cultural heritage domain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Augmented Reality has become a bridge from the virtual to the real world. This technology has been an implementable choice for fashion companies to provide more information and customization for their user's shopping experience. From the COVID-19 pandemic alongside technological globalization, fashion industries have to find a new way for customers to purchase products. All things considered, AR helped fashion industries keep customers attracted and satisfied. This paper is conducted in a Systematic Literature Review manner to review and compare the AR technologies used by fashion industries. Furthermore, the result would be a proposition of which Augmented Reality technology or platform option is feasible and implementable for the fashion industry. After comparing the technologies used in past papers and their technical and economic feasibility, we propose a 3-term plan. The short-term plan with zero cost and mobile platform-focused application, the medium-term plan with an upgraded version of the garment object from 2D images to 3D objects, and the long-term plan changing the platform used from mobile to a new device. We also conclude that artificial intelligence can also support and improve the augmented reality experience for customers in the fashion retail industry by implementing an AI-powered virtual assistant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reviews the recent development of augmented reality (AR) head-tracking techniques. AR is an emerging technology that provides users with digital augmentation layered on the real-life environment. AR systems use tracking to maintain the point of reference and enable the device to follow the user's movements and position within the physical world. Head-tracking is a crucial component of AR that inputs and interprets the movement of the device and the user's physical location in real-time. The main challenge in head-tracking is the appearance change that results from head rotation, which necessitates high accuracy and long-range tracking in a noisy environment. Latency and errors in head-tracking can reduce the system's overall effectiveness and cause jarring or unsettling effects for the user. This paper's contribution is to shed light on the best methods for tracking and registering in augmented reality, which will guide future advancements in the field. The review covers recent work proposed to improve head-tracking performance and reduce latency, highlighting the challenges and future directions of head-tracking techniques in AR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wooden-house assembly is an area where still a big part of the work is done manually. In this case study, pairs of operators compose large wooden pieces together based on paper-print instructions complemented by visual guidance in the shape of laser marks projected from lasers mounted in the ceiling, based on Computer-aided design (CAD) data. Augmented Reality (AR) head-mounted displays (HMD) offer a unique platform for providing instructions and additional information superimposed in the work environment and thus can provide guidance in a cognitively ergonomic way. A particular advantage compared to other computing platforms is that the operators have free hands and can perform the manual work and follow guidance simultaneously. We present an evaluation of a prototype that dynamically transforms a CAD data file with design and measurements of wooden trusses to be manufactured, into an AR-based guidance system developed in Unity for Microsoft HoloLens 2 devices. We used an iterative participatory design process for prototyping and think-aloud protocol combined with observations for evaluation, involving professional assemblers in different stages of the process. Participants found the solution to potentially save time in their everyday work and simplify the task by offering increased visibility of the marks compared to the existing laser projection. Large-scale deployment of the system is still facing design challenges of which some are also discussed in the paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The growing complexity of the logistics chain, the need to take on an ever longer and distributed logistic chain, which in some cases even reaches the final stages of the production of the same goods, highlights the problem of managing the post-production phases of products and goods, but also of the personnel who work on these activities, charged to the companies that deal with logistics. We present in this paper the Integrated Logistic Platform (ILP 4.0), a software architectural model, whose purpose is to lead warehouse logistics to new levels of efficiency, not reachable as the sum of the operational functions within a single logistic company, but reachable only through a unique and cross-functional system, which surpasses the usual fragmented vision and consequent approaches, in favor a strategic coordination of all activities. In this paper it is described the general architecture of the realized platform, with its research contributions and innovations, in particular related to some typical problems of warehouse environments, solved with the help of machine learning and computer vision approaches, but also with the integration of augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) devices. The aim of the integration of these technologies in the project is the definition of a "smart" warehouse model environment, capable of mitigate problems of warehouse logistics such as: automation of the inventory process (through an UAV), control of warehouse movements, and management of logical / physical security of the premises. Based on the experiences made on the project, and focusing the attention on the safety and security aspects in logistics, that the platform covers, we discuss further a possible federated learning approach in order to mitigate the lack of data in order to solve some security and safety problems in the logistic area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) technologies have significantly progressed in recent years, revolutionizing a diverse set of industries, mainly the industrial metaverse in cultural heritage and the cultural and creative sectors. In the context of social manufacturing, there's a pronounced need for platforms that foster collaboration. This paper introduces a collaborative AR/VR platform for social manufacturing, emphasizing the need for a co-creation environment. This platform supports real-time customized fabrication of 3D objects through rapid manufacturing within an AR/VR-based collaborative framework, further enhancing shared awareness in social manufacturing endeavors. The platform provides a robust toolkit for AR/VR applications that enables real-time interaction with virtual entities and seamless integration with the backend databases of online marketplaces. Designed to be universally adaptable, the toolkit is indifferent to the type of database it interacts with, and can function on a wide range of platforms including Web VR, Mobile AR, and HoloLens AR. A use case involving a reference chair model demonstrates the toolkit's capabilities, highlighting its potential to transform experiences within AR/VR landscapes. By offering a seamless fusion of digital content within physical environments, this AR/VR toolkit signifies a considerable advancement towards the intersection of digital and physical realities, paving the way of immersive experiences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For many applications, remote guidance and telerobotics provide great advantages. For example, tele-ultrasound can bring much-needed expert healthcare to isolated communities. However, existing tele-guidance methods have serious limitations including either low precision for video conference-based systems, or high complexity and cost for telerobotics. A new concept called human teleoperation leverages mixed reality, haptics, and high-speed communication to provide tele-guidance that gives an expert nearly-direct remote control without requiring a robot. This paper provides an overview of the human teleoperation concept and its application to tele-ultrasound. The concept and its impact are discussed. A new approach to remote streaming and control of point-of-care ultrasound systems independent of their manufacturer is described, as is a high-speed communication system for the HoloLens 2 that is compatible with ResearchMode API sensor stream access. Details of these systems are shown in supplementary video demonstrations. Novel interaction methods enabled by HoloLens 2-based pose tracking are also introduced and tests of the communication and user interaction are presented. The results show continued improvement of the system compared to previous work in instrumentation, HCI, and communication. The system thus has good potential for tele-ultrasound, as well as possible other applications of human teleoperation including remote maintenance, inspection, and training. The remote ultrasound streaming and control application is made available open source. [Display omitted] • System improvements to human teleoperation demonstrate its feasibility. • Other devices such as the Nreal Light can be used for implementation. • New device-agnostic remote ultrasound streaming and control demonstrated. • HoloLens pose tracking enables human teleoperation with limited compute resources. • HoloLens-based communication system provides effective sensor data streaming. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rapid advancement of technology in Industry 4.0 (I4.0) led to the widespread use of cutting-edge technologies like Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR). However, with Industry 5.0 (I5.0), comes a paradigm shift that emphasizes the importance of human well-being to establish a stronger sense of connection and purpose for employees. In this endeavour, gamification has emerged as a powerful tool, showing great potential in engaging, motivating, and empowering employees. This research paper aims to investigate the potential of gamification within the workplace and addresses three main research questions. Firstly, the study explores the prevalent equipment or devices used by organizations that implement gamification, and the relationship with the success of gamification strategies. Secondly, it examines how employees' age influences their perceptions of gamification's potential and their willingness to embrace its implementation. Lastly, this research investigates the relationship between employee satisfaction - with the implemented gamification strategy - and their participation in the design process. The study adopts a survey-based methodology, gathering data from 23 participants through a convenient sampling approach. Quantitative data analysis is conducted using Microsoft Excel , while qualitative data analysis is performed using NVivo. The findings explore the interrelationships between gamification, technology usage, age, employee satisfaction, and participation in the design process, highlighting the prevalence of computers, tablets, and mobile devices as the primary tools in gamification experiences. Moreover, the study emphasizes how employees' age influences their perceptions of gamification and reveals a positive relationship between employee satisfaction and participation in the design process. These findings underscore the potential of gamification in enhancing collaboration, learning, and employee well-being, and ultimately driving organizational success in the I5.0 era. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, the manufacturing industry has witnessed the utilization of Augmented Reality (AR) technologies in their daily operations. This paper takes a deep dive into the applications of AR in the manufacturing industry, specifically focusing on quality inspection, assembly, and remote assistance. This research offers valuable insights into the technical architectures using custom and commercial software, as well as the Proof of Concept (PoC) applications for Hand-Held Device (HHD) and Head-Mounted Device (HMD). The custom application for an HHD combines the state-of-the-art You Only Look Once (YOLO) object detection algorithm to enable AR for quality inspection. We used commercial software from Pocket virtuality® to develop assembly and remote assistance applications for an HMD. An applied research approach was adopted, incorporating the collection of both quantitative and qualitative data to assess the various application scenarios. Among the key findings, it is evident that the functionality of the custom-developed app for quality inspection is contingent upon the operating system, software libraries available on the HHD, and the chosen version of the YOLO detection model. Furthermore, through quantitative and qualitative analysis, it becomes apparent that the software and hardware components of the HMD require significant improvements. These findings offer a high potential for improvement and emphasize the need for further research in the field. Moreover, this research emphasizes the fact that AR has the potential to make a huge impact on the manufacturing industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Augmented and virtual reality technologies are actively making their way into the field of healthcare, revolutionizing traditional approaches to diagnosis, prevention, and treatment. This article discusses how these concepts are combined and their profound impact on the emergence of the Metahospital. The authors provide an overview of this concept, highlighting its dual role in aiding healthcare professionals and empowering patients. Central to this paradigm shift is technology's potential to enhance specialized training and elevate the precision and efficiency of diagnostics, all while prioritizing patient safety. This model's core features are expounded upon, with a keen emphasis on ethical considerations and safeguarding personal data, a critical aspect explored within the paper. Furthermore, the article elaborates on the creation of a surgical simulator tailored for procedures like angioplasty and coronary artery stenting, showcasing the tangible advancements within the realm of medical technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is challenging to evacuate people quickly and safely in large complex buildings in emergencies. With the rapid development of smart mobile devices, the research of augmented reality (AR) technology in emergency evacuation is gradually becoming a hot topic. Meanwhile, virtual agents have been widely used in numerous fields and have been proved to be helpful for guidance. Therefore, this study proposes an indoor evacuation guidance system with an AR virtual agent. The system uses smartphones as mobile terminals to deliver optimal exit path directions for users in real-time. An AR virtual agent is used to guide users to evacuate quickly and safely in complex building environments. In this paper, we take a museum as an example and use the permanent features in the museum as markers for the AR application to activate the virtual agent, which plays the role of a guide to help users evacuate the building. This paper describes the design and implementation of the system, and conducts a user study at a local museum to evaluate the system's usability. The results show that the system can effectively provide guidance and help users to evacuate indoors in the emergency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The goal of semantic segmentation is to segment the input image according to semantic information and predict the semantic category of each pixel from a given label set. With the gradual intellectualization of modern life, more and more applications need to infer relevant semantic information from images for subsequent processing, such as augmented reality, autonomous driving, video surveillance, etc. This paper reviews the state-of-the-art technologies of semantic segmentation based on deep learning. Because semantic segmentation requires a large number of pixel-level annotations, in order to reduce the fine-grained requirements of annotation and reduce the economic and time cost of manual annotation, this paper studies the works on weakly-supervised semantic segmentation. In order to enhance the generalization ability and robustness of the segmentation model, this paper investigates the works on domain adaptation in semantic segmentation. Many types of sensors are usually equipped in some practical applications, such as autonomous driving and medical image analysis. In order to mine the association between multi-modal data and improve the accuracy of the segmentation model, this paper investigates the works based on multi-modal data fusion semantic segmentation. The real-time performance of the model needs to be considered in practical application. This paper analyzes the key factors affecting the real-time performance of the segmentation model and investigates the works on real-time semantic segmentation. Finally, this paper summarizes the challenges and promising research directions of semantic segmentation tasks based on deep learning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Driver unfamiliarity with paper maps and north-up orientation. • Greater route learning with paper map than electronic map or augmented reality. • Driver behavior suggests less uncertainty when using augmented reality. • Greatest benefit from augmented reality when route learning is not a priority. Current trends point towards the development and implementation of augmented reality (AR) navigation assistance systems for drivers. Previous research has found augmented reality can benefit driving performance, but the impact of AR on route learning (spatial knowledge acquisition) has received less attention. The current study used simulated driving scenarios to determine how the type of navigation aid device used (i.e., paper map, electronic map, and AR system) affected driving performance and route learning of 62 driving adults. Route learning was examined at landmark, route, and survey levels. The hypotheses tested were that AR would improve driving performance but diminish route learning compared to paper map use; and that AR would outperform electronic map use in both driving performance and route learning. Results indicated that paper map use led to poorer driving performance and greater route learning. However, map recognition may have been a confounding factor in higher level spatial knowledge acquisition with paper map use. Driving performance and route learning were similar for drivers using the electronic map and AR, but some differences suggested that drivers have reduced uncertainty and hesitation while using AR to navigate in unfamiliar areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The perception of size in virtual objects in Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) is a not trivial issue, as the effectiveness of manipulating and interacting with virtual content depends on the accuracy of size perception. However, there are missing straightforward comparisons between VR and AR in terms of size perception for the deep understanding of size perceptual differences. Understanding these perceptual differences can inform designers on how to adapt content when transitioning between these two spatial computing platforms. In this paper, we conducted two psychophysical experiments to measure the perceptual thresholds of size discrimination for virtual objects. Our results indicated that users are more sensitive to size changes in VR than in video see-through AR, suggesting that size differences are easier to be perceived in VR than in AR. Additionally, for increase or decrease of sizes, the accuracy of judgments showed an asymmetric trend in video see-through AR. [Display omitted] • A comparative experiment to understand the difference in size perception in AR vs VR. • The thresholds for size discrimination in AR and VR are not the same. • The accuracy of judgments is asymmetric for increases and decreases of sizes in AR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Astronauts are at risk for pneumothorax, a condition where injury or disease introduces air between the chest wall and the lungs (i.e., the pleural cavity). In a worst-case scenario, it can rapidly lead to a fatality if left unmanaged and will require prompt treatment in situ if developed during spaceflight. Chest tube insertion is the definitive treatment for pneumothorax, but it requires a high level of skill and frequent practice for safe use. Physician astronauts may struggle to maintain this skill on medium- and long-duration exploration-class missions, and it is inappropriate for pure just-in-time learning or skill refreshment paradigms. This paper proposes semi-automating tool insertion to reduce the risk of complications in austere environments and describes preliminary experiments providing initial validation of an intelligent prototype system. Specifically, we showcase and analyse motion and force recordings from a sensorized percutaneous access needle inserted repeatedly into an ex vivo tissue phantom, along with relevant physiological data simultaneously recorded from the operator. When coupled with minimal just-in-time training and/or augmented reality guidance, the proposed system may enable non-expert operators to safely perform emergency chest tube insertion without the use of ground resources. • System design of a desktop testbed that facilitates data-driven event labelling. • Use of a lightweight robot enables semi-automation during simulated surgical tasks. • Needle-tissue interaction forces are useful for surgical semi-automation. • Robotics and wearables allow for human-in-the-loop system performance monitoring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The authors have proposed an active text system (A-txt), which is a next-generation electronic teaching material that can make general books digitally more extensible with a general-purpose mobile terminal using augmented reality (AR). A-txt content is created by software called Contents Maker (C-mkr). This paper discusses the development of C-mkr for mobile terminals and this development can realize new learning methods using it by students. A-txt is our original system that can easily add and show digital contents by using figures and sentences written on papers as augmented reality (AR) markers. Since Unity is used for the development of A-txt, users can use it regardless of the OS type of the mobile terminal. C-mkr used to need PCs exclusively so far, but now that we have developed an application for mobile terminals, it is possible to create contents on smartphones and tablet computers owned by every user. Along with that, A-txt itself has undergone various improvements. In fact, the A-txt system cannot be used by anyone at present because it is operated by an intra server, but we considered how to solve the problem by reconstructing the server using cloud type. With the above development, users can easily create and upload content anytime and anywhere. We are planning to use this system for students to make textbooks into reference books by themselves. This method is named "Self-decoration (Sel-Deco)", and its effectiveness will be verified in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The topic of food is broad and global, thereby representing an influential sector of the economy. Motivated by the advent of Industry 4.0, massive potential exists to implement cutting-edge technologies in the food industry. Recent years have seen a growing interest towards the applications of augmented/mixed reality (AR/MR) in the food sector. An extensive search of online journals focusing on Scopus was conducted using terms including 'augmented reality', 'mixed reality' and 'food' in the search fields of Title, Abstract, and Keywords. Full paper reading was implemented and ineligible articles (i.e., non-English-language, review articles, not peer-reviewed and without full paper) were removed. Our systematic search resulted in 111 eligible articles, eight of which related to MR technology. There is an overall increasing trend in the number of publications appearing annually since the first relevant publication in 2010. Analysing these publications demonstrates the multidisciplinary nature of this technology which is closely linked to machine learning, computer vision, the Internet of Things (IoT), and artificial intelligence. Our findings also revealed that AR/MR technology is mainly applied in the following areas: dietary assessment, food nutrition and traceability, food sensory science, retail food chain applications, food education and learning, and precision farming. Furthermore, we highlight the limitations and analytical challenges that hinder the application of AR/MR to food-related research, such as the lack of reliable wireless connection and the difficulty in recognizing food objects in a complex environment, while also describing future research needs and directions. • Applications of AR/MR for food is summarized from 111 eligible articles published since 2010. • Applications of AR/MR is closely linked to advanced technologies such as IoT, machine learning. • AR/MR is mainly applied for food safety, sensory, retail chain, education, and precision farming. • Limitations and challenges that hinder food applications of AR/MR are highlighted. • Future research needs and directions for AR/MR developments in food areas are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As the art of neurosurgery evolves in the 21st century, more emphasis is placed on minimally invasive techniques, which require technical precision. Simultaneously, the reduction on training hours continues, and teachers of neurosurgery faces "double jeopardy"—with harder skills to teach and less time to teach them. Mixed reality appears as the neurosurgical educators' natural ally: Virtual reality facilitates the learning of spatial relationships and permits rehearsal of skills, while augmented reality can make procedures safer and more efficient. Little wonder then, that the body of literature on mixed reality in neurosurgery has grown exponentially. Publications involving virtual and augmented reality in neurosurgery were examined. A total of 414 papers were included, and they were categorized according to study design and analyzed. Half of the papers were published within the last 3 years alone. Whereas in the earlier half, most of the publications involved experiments in virtual reality simulation and the efficacy of skills acquisition, many of the more recent publication are proof-of-concept studies. This attests to the evolution of mixed reality in neurosurgery. As the technology advances, neurosurgeons are finding more applications, both in training and clinical practice. With parallel advancement in Internet speed and artificial intelligence, the utilization of mixed reality will permeate neurosurgery. From solving staff problems in global neurosurgery, to mitigating the deleterious effect of duty-hour reductions, to improving individual operations, mixed reality will have a positive effect in many aspects of neurosurgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The digitization and optimization of processes in the industry 4.0, especially in the context of assembly, is becoming more and more important. To improve the link between digital information and production technology is an essential step in the digitization effort, specifically for assembly. In this context, the connection of the real and virtual world is relevant for the system to be able to react to changes in the real world and vice versa. This paper presents and discusses three sequentially developed concepts for an assembly workstation. First, we developed a pick-by-light concept with paper guidance, and then we digitized the paper guidance and displayed it using an overhead projection on the work surface. Based on these concepts, we developed a tangible interface that allows the user to interact with the virtual system using physical objects. Applying an iterative development process, we were able to continuously improve our concepts. The three concepts were each evaluated individually and compared with each other. The results provide an insight into the improvement of the efficiency in processing times, picking times and picking errors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Structure from motion (SFM), a research hotspot in the intelligent transportation field (including autonomous driving, environmental perception and augmented reality (AR) for artificial intelligence terminals), can automatically recover ego-motion state estimations and 3D scene reconstructions from multiple images or video sequences. Most existing vision methods operate offline in indoor scenes, and their reconstruction accuracies greatly depend on the tracking lifetimes and accuracies of feature points. Reprojection matrix and redundant regression noise computations are exponential disasters for the calculation and reconstruction drift of large-scale scenes. This paper proposes a quadruple tripatch-wise modular architecture (QTMA) for autonomous vehicle stereo image sequences that decomposes rigid scenes into nonrigid motion-segmented pieces for reconstruction. An advanced energy function for salient image features is established by combining multiple feature types with weighted finite-element mesh. Closed quadruple annular matching and relocation are performed via multiresolution pyramid images. The proposed incremental integral-mapping calculation method and unique tree-like stacked storage containers prolong the tracking lifetimes of consecutive frames and ensure the spatiotemporal consistency and robustness of the homonymous image features in different subsequences. Experimental results verify the effectiveness of this architecture for different transportation scenes; the frame rate processing speed reaches 30 fps, the calculation accuracy regarding the path distance difference reaches 99.49%, and the estimation results regarding the maximum speeds of motion are closer to the ground truth. The translation error of the motion pose is 0.0136%, and the rotation error is 0.0035 [deg/m], which has more yaw stability than the existing state-of-the-art methods. Furthermore, in the reconstructed point cloud quality demonstration, the mean value of roughness is reduced by 40.127%, the mean value of density is improved by 27.701%, and the accuracy reaches 91.149% within a certain distance tolerance. This paper has significant theoretical research value and application potential for positioning, path tracking, and navigation in adaptive cruise control (ACC) and advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Exploring AR safety training solutions applied to thirteen industries. • Systematically reviewing 37 papers published between 2014 and February 2024. • Results indicate that AR has a significant positive impact on safety training. • No difference was found between AR and traditional training in knowledge acquisition. • There was a limited focus on measuring knowledge retention in the selected studies. Unsafe behaviors and hazardous conditions in the workplace could pose serious risks resulting in major accidents. Safety training is critical for enhancing personal safety awareness and reducing accident severity and numbers. Augmented Reality (AR) is an emerging technology that superimposes digital information onto the real-world environment, which can offer an active, immersive, and interactive learning environment, making it a promising tool for safety training. However, to date, there is limited research that systematically evaluates the application and effectiveness of AR safety training. This study aims to comprehensively explore the application and effectiveness of AR safety training solutions in various industries, excluding the military and medicine. To achieve this, a systematic analysis of 37 papers published between 2014 and February 2024 was conducted. Our analysis addresses eight research questions. The results indicate that existing AR applications cover thirteen domains, with the construction, manufacturing, and transportation industries being the most common domains. The results also indicate a limited focus on measuring knowledge retention in the selected studies. Additionally, there is a lack of comparison between different AR hardware and display technologies. Two meta-analyses were carried out and they reveal that AR technology has a significant positive impact on safety training. However, no significant difference in knowledge acquisition was observed between AR training and traditional training. These findings have implications for future research and applications of AR safety training. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• In this paper, we propose a design method for EI-predistortion and splicing seamless MLA-based integral NED, which combining strict optical design and image preprocessing. The construction of MLA is based on sub-channel optimization and splicing, enabling the realization of both VR-NED and AR-NED designs. • Each sub-channel of NED is calibrated using a perfect lens with an effective focal length equivalent to that of the human eye. To achieve a seamless integral NED with high precision, we employ chief ray tracing and image clipping techniques for the accurate localization and acquisition of EIs. • The predistortion EIAs are obtained through a combination of chief ray tracing and RBF image warping techniques. A seamless MLA-based integral AR-NED with a full-FOV of 60° is realized and verified. • Furthermore, a seamless MLA-based integral multifocal VR-NED prototype is further proposed and implemented by integration of multiple discrete single-focal predistortion EIAs. The effectiveness of the proposed method has been validated through illumination and luminance simulations and experiments. The near-eye display (NED) has long been a challenging and intriguing research focus in the fields of augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR). In this paper, we propose a design method of elemental-image (EI) predistortion and splicing seamless integral NED based on microlens arrays (MLAs), which combines rigorous optical design with image preprocessing. The construction of MLA is based on sub-channel optimization and splicing, enabling the realization of both VR-NED and AR-NED. The calibration of each sub-channel in NED is conducted using a perfect lens that possesses an effective focal length equivalent to that of the human eye. To achieve a high-precision seamless integral NED, the precise location and acquisition of initial EIs are accomplished through chief ray tracing and image clipping. The predistortion EI array (EIA) is further obtained by combining chief ray tracing and radial basis function (RBF) image warping techniques. A seamless MLA-based integral AR-NED with a full field of view (FOV) of 60° is realized and verified. A prototype of a seamless MLA-based integral VR-NED is further implemented by integrating multiple discrete single-focal predistortion EIAs. The effectiveness of the proposed method has been validated through illumination and luminance simulations as well as experiments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Augmented Reality (AR) is revolutionizing technology that has found applications in food quality and safety assessment as related to addressing challenges in traditional methods that often lack real-time precision, impacting food. This review explores AR's components, applications, and impacts on real-time food quality inspection, sensory evaluation, and traceability. AR empowers food industry stakeholders like consumers and inspectors by enhancing inspections, evaluations, and transparency. It bridges the physical and digital realms, redefining food inspection, and re-establishing consumer trust by providing real-time inspection, quality control, and transparency solutions. This paper dissects AR's core components, such as smart glasses and smartphones, exploring applications that offer precision and transparency in food assessment. AR enables inspectors to identify defects, contamination, and quality issues with unparalleled precision. Sensory evaluation is enhanced, ensuring standardized assessments based on attributes like color, texture, and flavor. Traceability and transparency solutions empower consumers with access to origin and quality information. AR extends to smart glasses and devices, streamlining inspections and enhancing quality assurance workflows. Successful case studies validate AR's practicality across food industry sectors. Ethical, regulatory, and innovative considerations are vital in this transformative process. Therefore, AR revolutionizes food quality assessment, enhancing safety, quality, and transparency. Through improved ethical and regulatory considerations, innovation, and collaboration delivered by AR, the food industry elevates its standards. This not only safeguards global consumer health but also elevates their satisfaction and trust. • Innovative Integration: Augmented Reality (AR) transforms food quality assessment, redefining traditional methods. • Real-time Precision: AR empowers inspectors for immediate, accurate defect identification, elevating food safety. • Consumer Trust: AR boosts transparency, granting consumers origin and quality data, building trust in the supply chain. • Practical Applications: Paper presents industry-ready solutions, advancing food quality, safety, and transparency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite the large-scale digitalization and automation of production lines, human operators still play a vital role in the shopfloor. Operators provide flexibility and agile responsiveness with their actions, as well as capability to react autonomously based on their technical knowledge and experience. Bridging the gap between modern digital systems of information creation and management and humans in the shopfloor is a current challenge for both the academia and the technology integrators. One emerging way for delivering instructions to the operators is Augmented Reality (AR). AR allows the visualization of the instructions in the operator's field of view, using digital designs, animations and text instructions. As this technology gains increasingly more ground in the shopfloor, there is a need for agile generation of content, automatizing most of the instructions' generation process. Towards that end, this paper presents an authoring tool for generating digital instructions for manual operations. The authoring tool allows the identification of the (dis-)assembly sequence of a product and also to include intermediate manual operations, such as surface treatment, and visualizations. In order to determine which assembly tasks and instructions are the most commonly needed, contextual inquiries were conducted in collaboration with the industry. These findings, together with the existing literature on manual processes on the shopfloor, served as a starting point for a taxonomy of assembly task types that are also presented in this paper. The taxonomy serves as a guide to define the processes on which digital instructions and visualizations can be provided. The result can be delivered as digital on-screen instructions or as an augmented reality application that may target mobile devices and headsets. The proposed approach is validated in an industrial use case of a compressor assembly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Injury at living spaces accounts for over 70% of injuries among children under the age of 5 years and its prevention is essentially important in terms of children's health. This paper proposes an effective method of integrating knowledge graphs along with object recognition to determine the dangerous situations for infants and provide preventive measures to avoid such situations. This also leads to the proposal of a new system called "Empowering Reality (ER)" that enables a lecturer to educate parents on preventing childhood unintentional injuries at home while communicating with the parents using Augmented Reality (AR) technology. The proposed ER system consists of knowledge graphs for explaining dangerous situations, an online video capturing part, and a situation recognition part. This paper describes major advantages of knowledge graphs that takes into consideration of not only relation between objects and injuries but also dangerous layouts with the help of "inclusion" and "collocation" features. The feasibility and effectiveness of the system was evaluated through tests among 11 parents. The system allows the lecturer to conduct in-situ suggestion on specific preventive measures adapted to the home environment via online learning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Context: The field of artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly advancing, especially with recent improvements in deep learning (DL) techniques. Augmented (AR) and virtual reality (VR) are finding their place in healthcare, and spine surgery is no exception. The unique capabilities and advantages of AR and VR devices include their low cost, flexible integration with other technologies, user-friendly features and their application in navigation systems, which makes them beneficial across different aspects of spine surgery. Despite the use of AR for pedicle screw placement, targeted cervical foraminotomy, bone biopsy, osteotomy planning, and percutaneous intervention, the current applications of AR and VR in spine surgery remain limited.Purpose: The primary goal of this study was to provide the spine surgeons and clinical researchers with the general information about the current applications, future potentials, and accessibility of AR and VR systems in spine surgery.Study Design/setting: We reviewed titles of more than 250 journal papers from google scholar and PubMed with search words: augmented reality, virtual reality, spine surgery, and orthopaedic, out of which 89 related papers were selected for abstract review. Finally, full text of 67 papers were analyzed and reviewed.Methods: The papers were divided into four groups: technological papers, applications in surgery, applications in spine education and training, and general application in orthopaedic. A team of two reviewers performed paper reviews and a thorough web search to ensure the most updated state of the art in each of four group is captured in the review.Results: In this review we discuss the current state of the art in AR and VR hardware, their preoperative applications and surgical applications in spine surgery. Finally, we discuss the future potentials of AR and VR and their integration with AI, robotic surgery, gaming, and wearables.Conclusions: AR and VR are promising technologies that will soon become part of standard of care in spine surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intelligent technologies are widely implemented in different areas of modern society but specific approaches should be applied in services. Basic relationships refer to supporting customers and people responsible for services offering for these customers. The aim of the paper is to analyze and evaluate the state-of-the art of artificial intelligence (AI) applications in the hospitality industry. Our findings show that the major deployments concern in-person customer services, chatbots and messaging tools, business intelligence tools powered by machine learning, and virtual reality & augmented reality. Moreover, we performed a survey (n = 178), asking respondents about their perceptions and attitudes toward AI, including its implementation within a hotel space. The paper attempts to discuss how the hotel industry can be motivated by potential customers to apply selected AI solutions. In our opinion, these results provide useful insights for understanding the phenomenon under investigation. Nevertheless, since the results are not conclusive, more research is still needed on this topic. Future studies may concern both qualitative and quantitative methods, devoted to developing models that: a) quantify the potential benefits and risks of AI implementations, b) determine and evaluate the factors affecting the AI adoption by the customers, and c) measure the user (guest) experience of the hotel services, fueled by AI-based technologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Recent development in deep learning for monocular depth estimation is reviewed. • Depth estimation is classified into supervised, unsupervised, and semi-supervised methods. • In terms of tasks, depth estimation is summarized as single-task and multi-task methods. Depth estimation is a classic task in computer vision, which is of great significance for many applications such as augmented reality, target tracking and autonomous driving. Traditional monocular depth estimation methods are based on depth cues for depth prediction with strict requirements, e.g. shape-from-focus/ defocus methods require low depth of field on the scenes and images. Recently, a large body of deep learning methods have been proposed and has shown great promise in handling the traditional ill-posed problem. This paper aims to review the state-of-the-art development in deep learning-based monocular depth estimation. We give an overview of published papers between 2014 and 2020 in terms of training manners and task types. We firstly summarize the deep learning models for monocular depth estimation. Secondly, we categorize various deep learning-based methods in monocular depth estimation. Thirdly, we introduce the publicly available dataset and the evaluation metrics. And we also analysis the properties of these methods and compare their performance. Finally, we highlight the challenges in order to inform the future research directions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the automotive sector, panel fitting operations represent a delicate phase of the assembly process, during which car bodywork components are manually aligned attempting to comply with spacing tolerances. Digital technologies currently promoted by the Industry 4.0 approach, such as collaborative robots and augmented reality (AR), could assist workers for reducing execution times of this "trial and error" procedure. On the one hand, human-robot collaboration (HRC) can enhance assembly process efficiency, by combining human dexterity and cognitive capabilities with robot repetitiveness and support in heavy load handling; on the other, AR can provide interactive instructions to guide workers during the process. In this regard, the present paper is focused on the development of a novel assembly workstation using HRC and AR to support workers during car panel fitting operations. The system is based on the implementation of an algorithm able to convert the values on panel spacing, which are measured by laser gauge positioned on the collaborative robot, in the instructions for the worker to correctly carry out the panel fitting operation. The paper finally presents the application of the system to a real assembly example. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, whether using Augment Reality (AR)-based learning materials could benefit high school students in the process of Chinese writing was explored, along with the pros and cons of using AR for acquiring Chinese writing skills. In order to reduce the gap between the designers and practitioner teachers, Chinese instructors were invited to co-design the AR-based writing materials to achieve the integration of learners, teachers and educational system technology developers in a collaborative process. The AR-based writing support system was provided to a total of 30 twelfth-grade students who participated in the experiment. The students in the experimental group participated in the writing activity using both AR-based learning material and paper-based supports, while the control group worked with only paper-based writing support materials. The results revealed that the AR techniques helped the intermediate-level students the most in their writing performance of content control, article structure and wording. The students, especially the low-achievers, reflected that the functions of the AR system supported them to start writing the first paragraph more quickly, and enriched their ideas. A possible mode for integrating AR techniques in writing courses is proposed. This paper could serve as a reference for educators and learning technology researchers who wish to design AR-guided writing learning materials or courses with the goal of encouraging learners to experience the writing process in a variety of settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The advancement of technology towards the realization of the evolving mobile computing paradigm brings a rapid paradigm shift in its usage, especially in the Internet, computation, and communications, that has a profound impact on businesses, services, and users. With the rise in resource-intensive or edge-based mobile applications such as autonomous driving, Amazon Go, virtual and augmented reality, and healthcare-related applications, countless challenges in computation and communication parameters like latency, bandwidth, and energy consumption are evolving. As a result, the multi-access edge computing (MEC) paradigm receives enormous attention where some portions of the user applications are offloaded to powerful machines for their efficient execution to optimize different evaluation metrics or to achieve performance goals. While a few survey works are available in this direction, none of them focuses explicitly on the emerging machine learning (ML) based computation offloading techniques and various associated sub-problems together. This paper aims to provide a detailed but precise overview of the research on using ML techniques for MEC environments. In this survey, we focus on how authors and researchers utilize the ML models in computation offloading problems on MEC architecture. We extend our study by considering several edge architectures, offloading parameters, ML approaches, and problem formulation strategies concerning computation offloading. Additionally, this paper discusses the potential challenges in the direction of computation offloading on MEC architecture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper proposes the development of a markerless augmented reality (AR) application for Indonesian traditional house education. The application aims to provide an immersive and interactive way of visualizing traditional houses from various regions of Indonesia, with the potential to raise public awareness about the importance of preserving traditional culture. The prototyping method was employed as the most appropriate approach to software development, and the ARFoundation platform was used to integrate plane detection into the AR application. The results showed that 80% of tested devices were compatible with ARCore, and the AR plane detection could detect up to 250cm from the device position. In addition, a feedback survey conducted on 17 testers showed that the application design and mechanism brought a good experience to users, with 53% stating that the app is easy to use. This research project contributes to the development of technology-based solutions to promote Indonesian culture and preserve traditional houses, especially for younger generations who may be less familiar with traditional culture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Physics learning is often challenging for students due to its abstract and complex concepts. This research is made to overcome the problem of lack of understanding related to physics learning due to abstract concepts. This research aims to develop and evaluate an Augmented Reality (AR) application that focuses on learning Newton's Law by interacting with 3D objects like balls, cars, and rockets. AR-based technology has been recommended for use in education due to its excellent potential in helping to improve the understanding of the concept of a material to be better. Therefore, this research will develop and evaluate the use of augmented reality in physics learning related to newton's law. This paper uses the ADDIE model method as the basis for developing Augmented Reality applications by involving the stages of analysis, design, development, implementation, and evaluation. The study results show that the developed AR application can help students understand the concept of Newton's Law and increase interest in learning. Student feedback obtained through questionnaires indicated that they rated this application positively regarding ease of use, engagement, and effectiveness in supporting the learning process. The AR application developed in this study improves the quality and effectiveness of physics learning through innovative and interactive technology. Further research could focus on developing additional content and features and exploring the impact of this application on a broader group of students and in different areas of education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Augmented Reality is a technology that overlays computer-generated information and images in a natural environment to enhance or augment the contextual perception of the user's environment. The utilization of AR is currently one of the most important in developing several industrial sectors, such as architecture, engineering, and construction development. Nowadays, the property sector industry has always been an issue of sale for users that do not have direct access to the property. The pandemic and the economic problem in different countries have also reduced consumer interest in purchasing houses. Due to these issues, this paper aims to provide a platform for addressing these pain areas. The software can apply Augmented Reality to real estate in real-time using a mobile device. Not only can they see the outside of the property, but they can also see the interior design, furniture design, and property mapping in 3D. Our test results show that an application is needed to provide the property sector with high demands. Over 80% of our respondents confirm that our application's presence will help ease the sales problem. Because it can save the customer time, viewing property frequency, and cost saving. These increased demands, we are developing an AR-based application for the market to use and gain more traction in the property sector. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A systematic literature review of immersive technologies (ImTs) for occupational safety and health (OSH) in construction is conducted. • OSH areas, hazards and conditions that are addressed by ImTs are provided. • Challenges and future research associated with the use of ImTs for OSH are provided. Introduction : The construction industry employs about 7% of global manpower and contributes about 6% to the global economy. However, statistics have depicted that the construction industry contributes significantly to workplace fatalities and injuries despite multiple interventions (including technological applications) implemented by governments and construction companies. Recently, immersive technologies as part of a suite of industry 4.0 technologies, have also strongly emerged as a viable pathway to help address poor construction occupational safety and health (OSH) performance. Method: With the aim of gaining a broad view of different construction OSH issues addressed using immersive technologies, a review on the application of immersive technologies for construction OSH management is conducted using the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analysis (PRISMA) approach and bibliometric analysis of literature. This resulted in the evaluation of 117 relevant papers collected from three online databases (Scopus, Web of Science, and Engineering Village). Results : The review revealed that literature have focused on the application of various immersive technologies for hazard identification and visualization, safety training, design for safety, risk perception, and assessment in various construction works. The review identified several limitations regarding the use of immersive technologies, which include the low level of adoption of the developed immersive technologies for OSH management by the construction industry, very limited research on the application of immersive technologies for health hazards, and limited focus on the comparison of the effectiveness of various immersive technologies for construction OSH management. Conclusions and Practical Applications: For future research, it is recommended to identify possible reasons for the low transition level from research to industry practice and proffer solutions to the identified issues. Another recommendation is the study of the effectiveness of the use of immersive technologies for addressing health hazards in comparison to the conventional methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The physical demands of military service place soldiers at risk of musculoskeletal injuries and are major concerns for military capability. This paper outlines the development new training technologies to prevent and manage these injuries. Narrative review. Technologies suitable for integration into next-generation training devices were examined. We considered the capability of technologies to target tissue level mechanics, provide appropriate real-time feedback, and their useability in-the-field. Musculoskeletal tissues' health depends on their functional mechanical environment experienced in military activities, training and rehabilitation. These environments result from the interactions between tissue motion, loading, biology, and morphology. Maintaining health of and/or repairing joint tissues requires targeting the "ideal" in vivo tissue mechanics (i.e., loading and strain), which may be enabled by real-time biofeedback. Recent research has shown that these biofeedback technologies are possible by integrating a patient's personalised digital twin and wireless wearable devices. Personalised digital twins are personalised neuromusculoskeletal rigid body and finite element models that work in real-time by code optimisation and artificial intelligence. Model personalisation is crucial in obtaining physically and physiologically valid predictions. Recent work has shown that laboratory-quality biomechanical measurements and modelling can be performed outside the laboratory with a small number of wearable sensors or computer vision methods. The next stage is to combine these technologies into well-designed easy to use products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Connecting machines and systems is becoming increasingly important, especially in technology-based companies. The use of Augmented Reality (AR) based systems can bring significant advantages, such as improved quality or increased productivity. However, the implementation barriers often seem to outweigh the benefits for many companies. This is particularly true for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which leads to important questions: To what extent can AR applications be efficiently implemented using standard Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) software? Is it possible for SMEs without specialized knowledge to implement AR applications with appropriate effort by utilizing an IIoT software? How would a software and hardware architecture for this look like? This paper presents an approach - based on commercially available standard software – to outline the necessary framework and demonstrating the benefits of this technology through practical use cases. The results show that useful applications can be implemented quickly and require comparatively little expertise when using the right toolchain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Augmented reality (AR) applications have great potential to assist maintenance workers in their operations. However, creating AR solutions is time-consuming and laborious, which limits its widespread adoption in the industry. It therefore often happens that even with the latest generation machines, instead of an AR solution, the user only receives an electronic manual for the equipment operation and maintenance. This is commonplace with legacy machines. For this reason, solutions are required that simplify the creation of such AR solutions. This paper presents an approach using an electronic manual as a basis to create fast and cost-effective AR solutions for maintenance. As part of the approach, an application was developed to automatically identify and subdivide the chapters of electronic manuals via the bookmarks in the table of contents. The contents are then automatically uploaded to a central server and indexed with a suitable marker to make the data retrievable. The prepared content can then be accessed for creating context-related AR instructions via the marker. The application is characterized by the fact that no developers or experts are required to prepare the information. In addition to complying with common design criteria, the clear presentation of the contents and the intuitive use of the system offer added value for the performance of maintenance tasks. Together, these two elements form a novel way to retrofit legacy machines with AR maintenance instructions. The practical validation of the system took place in a factory environment. For this purpose, the content was created for a filter change on a CNC milling machine. The results show that inexperienced users can extract appropriate content with the software application. Furthermore, it is shown that maintenance workers, can access the content with an AR application developed for the Microsoft HoloLens 2 and complete simple tasks provided in the manufacturer's electronic manual. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study collected literature on augmented reality (AR) from academic and patent databases to plot the historic development trajectory of AR and forecast its future research and development trends. A total of 3193 and 13,629 papers were collected from academic and patent databases, respectively. First, a network was established using references from the academic literature; main path analysis was conducted on this reference network to plot the overall development trajectory. Subsequent cluster and word cloud analyses revealed the following five major groups of AR research topics: AR surgical navigation applications, AR education applications, AR applications in manufacturing, AR applications in architecture, and AR applications in visual tracking. Subsequently, the relationships between the overall development trajectory and the five AR research topics were compared. Next, the title and abstract of AR-related academic and patent papers were subjected to text mining to identify keywords with a high frequency of occurrence. The results can provide a reference for industry, government, and academia when planning future development strategies for the AR field. This research adopted an integrated analysis procedure to plot the trajectory of AR technology development and applications successfully and effectively, predict future patent research and development directions and produce technological forecasts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]