The Gravity of the Situation: Investigating the Impact of Gravity Manipulation on Task Performance and User Experience in an Augmented Reality

Virtual reality is increasingly applied in training contexts across various domains, including education, industry, and medicine. As the cost of augmented reality (AR) technology declines, designers are gaining the capability to develop realistic experiences and interfaces in this medium. This introduces an unexplored variable in AR environments: the impact of simulated gravity. This thesis reports on a study conducted in AR, investigating three levels of simulated gravity. Participants, working at the Lynn and Arnold Irwin Advanced Perioperative Imaging Lab (APIL) at Toronto General Hospital, engaged in tasks using 3D puzzle pieces while their movements and interactions were tracked for data analysis. Post-task questionnaires assessed participants’ mental states. The study aims to provide insights into the effects of simulated gravity on a virtual assembly task as well as its potential use in other AR interface and user study design.