3D Orientation Aids to Assist Re-Orientation and Reduce Disorientation in Mobile Apps

Abstract

This paper describes a selection of three-dimensional user interface components that visually provide spatial orientation information to the user. The components are designed to be independent interface elements, which can be added to, or used with, a range of possible underlying apps on mobile platforms. The primary purpose of these components is to provide the user with additional onscreen information regarding their spatial orientation in a 3D environment. A randomized control trial of 50 participants was carried out using these components to determine if visual aids on screen assisted in reducing disorientation and re-orientation following a disorienting event. Several forms of orientation-aid components, in the form of 3D interface components, overlaid over an existing interface were tested. An additional control group with no on screen aid was tested and the results analysed for their effectiveness in disorienting events. The components that were most effective in this task proved to be the simple in terms of visual form and complexity. These components showed statistically significant improvements in terms of reduced error rates following disorientation and also improvements in terms of user confidence in relation to their orientation with these tools. Overall the study found that the presence of specific onscreen orientation aids, as part of the user interface, did reduce disorientation, and that the on-screen aids assisted in participants being able to re-orient themselves following a disorienting event.