This study evaluates augmented reality (AR) tools for spatial measurement in the Augmented Reality Home Assessment Tool, designed for consumer-grade mobile phones. The tool provides a reliable home assessment method based on residents’ functional limitations. A mixed-methods study with a convergent parallel design compared AR and traditional methods across speed, accuracy, ease of use, and user confidence. Learnability was tested through repeated measures with 32 participants in a within-subjects design. Results showed AR tools were faster, more accurate, easier to use, and boosted confidence, though a slight learning curve was noted. Qualitative methods, including think-aloud protocols, interviews, and observations, identified usability concerns related to information accessibility, user control, and cognitive aspects. Findings highlight the potential of phone-based AR for identifying residential barriers, supporting high-quality self-assessment for users familiar with mobile technology.

Home modification interventions can remedy deficiencies in the home environments of the growing number of older adults that want to age in place. Unfortunately, performing an assessment of a home environment is a difficult process, often requiring numerous measurements from a skilled practitioner. To address these gaps in practice, we used an iterative co-design process to develop a first prototype of a novel augmented reality home assessment tool (ARHAT) that can be utilized more rapidly by both individuals in and outside of health care, as well as performed either on or off-site. The aim of this work is to create a tool for major stakeholders involved in supporting housing design and aging in place, thereby reaching and making a difference in the lives of more older adults.

Using one’s hands can be a natural and intuitive method for interacting with 3D objects in a mixed reality environment. This study explores three hand-interaction techniques, including the gaze and pinch, touch and grab, and worlds-in-miniature interaction for selecting and moving virtual furniture in the 3D scene. Overall, a comparative analysis reveals that the worlds-in-miniature provided the best usability and task performance than other studied techniques. We also conducted in-depth interviews and analyzed participants’ hand gestures in order to identify desired attributes for 3D hand interaction design. Findings from interviews suggest that, when it comes to enjoyment and discoverability, users prefer directly manipulating the virtual furniture to interacting with objects remotely or using in-direct interactions such as gaze. Another insight this study provides is the critical roles of the virtual object’s visual appearance in designing natural hand interaction. Gesture analysis reveals that shapes of furniture, as well as its perceived features such as weight, largely determined the participant’s instinctive form of hand interaction (i.e., lift, grab, push). Based on these findings, we present design suggestions that can aid 3D interaction designers to develop a natural and intuitive hand interaction for mixed reality.