A Framework Designed with Perceptual Symmetry and Interactive Asymmetry for XR Collaboration

Collaborative experiences are enriched through cross-platform interactions in the context of eXtended Reality (XR) systems. In this paper, we introduce SRVS-C (Spatially Referenced Virtual Synchronization for Collaboration), a centralized framework designed to support co-located, real-time AR (on smartphone) and VR (in headset) interactions over local networks. The framework adopts an architecture of interactive asymmetry, where the interaction roles, input modalities, and rendering responsibilities are adapted to the unique capabilities and constraints of each device. Concurrently, the framework maintains perceptual symmetry, guaranteeing a coherent spatial and semantic experience for all users. This is achieved through anchor-based spatial registration and unified data representations. Compared to prior work that relies on cloud services or symmetric platforms (e.g., VR–VR, AR–AR, and PC–PC pairings), SRVS-C supports seamless communication between AR and VR endpoints, operating entirely over TCP sockets using serialization-agnostic message formats. We evaluated SRVS-C in a dual-user scenario involving a mobile AR and a VR headset, using shared freehand drawing tasks. These tasks include simple linear strokes and geometry-rich drawing content to assess how varying interaction complexity—ranging from low-density sketches to intricate, high-vertex structures— impacted the end-to-end latency, state replication timing, and collaborative fluency. The results show that the system sustains latency between 35 ms and 175 ms, even during rapid, continuous drawing actions that generate a high number of stroke updates per second, and when handling drawings composed of numerous vertices and complex shapes. Throughout these conditions, the system maintains perceptual continuity and spatial alignment across users by applying platform-specific interactive asymmetry.