Use of augmented reality in human wayfinding: a systematic review

Augmented reality(AR) technology has emerged as a promising solution to assist with wayfinding difficulties,bridging the gap between obtaining navigational assistance and maintaining an awareness ofone’s real-world surroundings. In this article, we present a systematic review of researchliterature related to AR navigation technologies. An in-depth analysis of 88 salient studies wasconducted to address four main research topics: (1) the current state-of-the-art of ARnavigational assistance technologies, (2) user experiences of interacting with these technologies, (3) the effect of AR on human wayfinding performance, and (4) the impacts of AR for humannavigational cognition. We noted a recent rise in unified solutions for AR navigational assistance,with advancements in mobile devices, head-mounted displays, and versatile third-partyplatforms. A robust body of literature has demonstrated reductions in cognitive load andimproved cognitive map development when using these AR technologies, in comparison totraditional guidance modalities such as paper maps. However, findings about wayfindingperformance and user experience were mixed. For example, performance improvementsassociated with AR have been consistently demonstrated in indoor environments, butresearchers have not found similar advantages in outdoor environments. The research indicatesthat within AR visual guidance tends to be more effective than auditory cues, and that theincorporation of overview maps greatly improves the performance benefits of AR. While usersgenerally described AR navigational assistance in positive terms, they also reported specificchallenges related to hardware, localization techniques, and frustrating interfaces. The articlediscusses these nuances in detail while overall lending support to the conclusion that AR has agreat potential to enhance wayfinding by providing enriched navigational cues, interactiveexperiences, and improved situational awareness.