MicrokARts

Motivation

Mixed Reality (MR) allows for a digital physical interaction that unlocks new ways for users to interact with technology. This dual nature of MR is of particular interest here because there is room for MR to become more than just a feature on a cell phone, but an integral component to emerging, interactive platforms for youth. The main goal of this project is to —

Discover a series of recommendations for future systems on interactive and creative play through physical computing and AR to promote low floors, wide walls, and high ceilings.

System Description

MicrokARts is plug-and-play electronics with a block-based programming application with a live simulation tool and a multi-user AR-IoT environment to control physical devices with AR-IoT interactions. It includes a simplified web interface for the controlling laptop and a mobile application that connects the MicrokARts and smart phones together.‍‍

Mechatronics

The mechanical system portion of this project primarily includes a wooden chassis manuvered by a DC motor and wheels. An AR enabled phone is mounted to the kart and provides feedback to the user on controlling the device the laptop. Other optional attachments include a servo claw, LED lights, and a piezo buzzer speaker.

The UI that the user faces includes the main laptop where they can customize what their MicrokARt does through the block programing interface. The UI is kept simple as the main users are children.

AR Functionality

The AR functionality of this system is a multi-user environment that utilizes AR-centric code blocks, so the users can create functions specifically for AR-IoT interactions.
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These functions make it clear to users in a visual way that if their MicrokARt interacts with a specific AR element, then the code in that function will execute for their electrical components.

The system supports a virtual dart that users can fire from their kart in an attempt to hit other karts and trigger special events. The darts are spawned from a Cloud Anchor coordinate system which is how a virtual dart shot from one physical kart can hit another physical kart. When hit, the kart can perform whatever custom function the user programmed with the AR block in Kart Creator

User Study

MicrokARts was evaluated in seven user study sessions with 22 participants. Each session was roughly 2 hours with participant ages ranging from 9 to 15 years old. The participants were given a series of tasks to work on with the AR-IoT system. They were additionally given a list of instructions on how to execute each task and access to receiving help from the researchers if needed.
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The team sought both quantitative and qualitative feedback by conducting a pre session surveys along with post a session interviews. Additionally the team also observed how the children interacted with the MicrokARts system.
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The aim for this user study was to evaluate the MicrokARts system by answering the following research questions:

To what extent does MicrokARts serve as a design space for youth to create dynamic AR-IoT environments?
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What learning opportunities does MicrokARts provide?

Data Analysis

Quantitative Data Analysis

The team utilized a pre-study survey to collect data from the participants. This included demographic information, as well as the participants experience level in the areas of Augmented Reality, Electronics & Circuitry,Programming Physical Computing Devices, and Designing Electro-Mechanical Devices. Questions regarding their confidence levels in each of the surveyed fields were asked to compare and contrast the differences in self-reporting amongst users.
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Qualitative Data Analysis

The qualitative data collected from the post study interview were used to identify a set of codes. Using these codes the team was able to derive common themes shown below to organize the collected data into an affinity diagram.
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User is exploratory/ inquisitive/ curious

User makes connections to prior observations or experiences

System fosters creativity in user

System allows for problem solving behaviour

exploratory/ inquisitive/ curious

Makes connections to prior observations or experiences

fosters creativity

allows for problem solving behaviours

Participant 1:

Participant 2:

Participant 1:

Findings

After filing through all of the data we collected we were able to compile it all into a list of main themes.

Main themes
1 – Interest-Driven Design and Making: The MicrokARts system piqued the curiosity of the children
2 – AR-IoT Interactions Generate Engagement: The familiarity of MicrokARts to commercial products that kids use both in-school and in extra-curricular activities is a strength of the system.
3 – Collaborations Among the Children: Collaboration is a major aspect of the impact that this system can have on children.
4 – Enhanced Play with MicrokARts: Participants aren’t realizing that they are learning and applying these concepts while using MicrokARts.

Learnings

Coding in C#, was really hard!
Asking for help ahead of time was really important for this project since we all are juggling multiple things at the same time on top of working on this project. The code base for this project was extremely complex and it was important to communicate early about what I was doing and what problems i may have run into in order to smoothly integrate my work.
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Analyzing qualitative data from children is very different
When conducting the user studies, that data that we got from the interviews and our observation notes were very different from what the typical information you may get from adults. I saw that it was very important to be articulate when asking them questions. I also learned that even the smallest comment or action that they take can provide an important insight towards our learnings.

Convergence Design Lab

MicrokARts

Motivation

System Description

User Study

Data Analysis

Findings

Learnings