Augmented reality: an ecoloigcal blend

Abstract

In this article we present Ecological Augmented Reality (E-AR), an approach that questions the theoretical assumptions of main-stream Augmented Reality (AR). The development of AR systems to date presupposes an information-processing theory of perceptionthat hinders the potential of the field.Generally, in AR devices, virtual symbolic information is superimposed upon the environment in such a way that the real and thevirtual may be processed, informationally speaking, in tandem. Thus, we find information in reality itself, as well as virtual symbolicinformation. But by increasing the burden of symbolic crunching, AR devices run the risk of saturating the user of the technology. AR systems developed under the principles of an ecological psychology may contribute to new and better levels of performance andadaptation to the user’s perceptual abilities. Our proposal is to develop AR devices such that reality itself is augmentednon-symbolically by blending real and virtual layers/information. Although there are seldom AR devices in the market that are designedecologically, two fields of research may well bring inspiration to AR developers. These are the design and manipulation of real objects,and ecological research in the field of sensory substitution. We consider them both in turn with an eye to putting forward a frameworkthat eschews any type of information-processing regarding the nature of our psychological processes. Ultimately, our aim is to providesome guidelines for the exploration.