Cross-Context Evaluation of an Indoor–Outdoor AR Navigation System in a University Campus Environment

This paper presents a comparative evaluation of a mobile augmented reality (AR) navigation application designed for both indoor and outdoor university environments. Building on a previously validated system for indoor guidance, the current study extends the deployment to outdoor campus spaces without relying on GPS or additional infrastructure. Using visual positioning and spatial anchors, the same application provides real-time AR cues and audio instructions to support wayfinding across different spatial contexts. The principal aim of this study is to determine whether a unified AR navigation system can deliver a consistent, infrastructure-free user experience in both indoor and outdoor university environments. A within-subjects study was conducted with 256 university students who completed both indoor and outdoor navigation tasks. Usability and user acceptance were assessed using the System Usability Scale (SUS) and constructs from the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM). Results revealed consistent user experience across both contexts, with no statistically significant differences in perceived intuitiveness, usefulness, engagement, behavioral intention to reuse, or localization accuracy. A significant difference was found only in perceived AR content loading speed, which was rated slightly higher indoors. These findings demonstrate the feasibility of a unified AR navigation system for academic campuses and provide practical insights into its scalability and user-centered design.