An Interface Design Method Based on Situation Awareness and Immersive Analytics for Augmented and Mixed Reality Decision Support Systems in Construction

Research on augmented reality (AR) and mixed reality (MR) demonstrated their potential to support decision-making in construction. However, most efforts emphasized technological advancements, often overlooking how to present and interact with information to effectively support decision-making in AR/...

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Main Authors: Ernesto Pillajo, Claudio Mourgues, Andrés Neyem, Vicente A. González
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-07-01
Series:Applied Sciences
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/14/7820
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author Ernesto Pillajo
Claudio Mourgues
Andrés Neyem
Vicente A. González
author_facet Ernesto Pillajo
Claudio Mourgues
Andrés Neyem
Vicente A. González
author_sort Ernesto Pillajo
collection DOAJ
description Research on augmented reality (AR) and mixed reality (MR) demonstrated their potential to support decision-making in construction. However, most efforts emphasized technological advancements, often overlooking how to present and interact with information to effectively support decision-making in AR/MR environments. This study proposes an interface design method that integrates situation awareness (SA) and immersive analytics (IA), two complementary frameworks that address user information needs and immersive interaction design. The method guides the design of AR/MR interfaces by aligning information content, presentation, and interaction with SA requirements and IA design principles. To evaluate its effectiveness, the method was applied to develop AR and MR interface prototypes for a simulated decision-making task involving field managers during indoor construction activities of high-rise construction projects. Results show high levels of SA achieved by participants, with no statistically significant differences between AR and MR interfaces, demonstrating the method’s effectiveness to support SA in both environments. The proposed method provides a structured approach for designing immersive interfaces that enable better perception, comprehension, and projection in dynamic construction scenarios. Moreover, it provides designers with practical guidance for interface development and allows practitioners to assess existing AR/MR solutions based on their capacity to enhance SA through IA.
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spelling doaj-art-4c8f27979c8446e7b0a1e38b4ff5e0392025-08-20T03:58:27ZengMDPI AGApplied Sciences2076-34172025-07-011514782010.3390/app15147820An Interface Design Method Based on Situation Awareness and Immersive Analytics for Augmented and Mixed Reality Decision Support Systems in ConstructionErnesto Pillajo0Claudio Mourgues1Andrés Neyem2Vicente A. González3Department of Construction Engineering and Management, School of Engineering, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Vicuña Mackenna 4860, Santiago 7820436, ChileDepartment of Construction Engineering and Management, School of Engineering, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Vicuña Mackenna 4860, Santiago 7820436, ChileDepartment of Computer Science, School of Engineering, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Vicuña Mackenna 4860, Santiago 7820436, ChileInfrastructure Human Tech (IHT) Lab, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Alberta, 9211 116 Street NW, Edmonton, AB T6G 2R3, CanadaResearch on augmented reality (AR) and mixed reality (MR) demonstrated their potential to support decision-making in construction. However, most efforts emphasized technological advancements, often overlooking how to present and interact with information to effectively support decision-making in AR/MR environments. This study proposes an interface design method that integrates situation awareness (SA) and immersive analytics (IA), two complementary frameworks that address user information needs and immersive interaction design. The method guides the design of AR/MR interfaces by aligning information content, presentation, and interaction with SA requirements and IA design principles. To evaluate its effectiveness, the method was applied to develop AR and MR interface prototypes for a simulated decision-making task involving field managers during indoor construction activities of high-rise construction projects. Results show high levels of SA achieved by participants, with no statistically significant differences between AR and MR interfaces, demonstrating the method’s effectiveness to support SA in both environments. The proposed method provides a structured approach for designing immersive interfaces that enable better perception, comprehension, and projection in dynamic construction scenarios. Moreover, it provides designers with practical guidance for interface development and allows practitioners to assess existing AR/MR solutions based on their capacity to enhance SA through IA.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/14/7820augmented realitymixed realitysituation awarenessimmersive analyticsdecision support systemsconstruction
spellingShingle Ernesto Pillajo
Claudio Mourgues
Andrés Neyem
Vicente A. González
An Interface Design Method Based on Situation Awareness and Immersive Analytics for Augmented and Mixed Reality Decision Support Systems in Construction
Applied Sciences
augmented reality
mixed reality
situation awareness
immersive analytics
decision support systems
construction
title An Interface Design Method Based on Situation Awareness and Immersive Analytics for Augmented and Mixed Reality Decision Support Systems in Construction
title_full An Interface Design Method Based on Situation Awareness and Immersive Analytics for Augmented and Mixed Reality Decision Support Systems in Construction
title_fullStr An Interface Design Method Based on Situation Awareness and Immersive Analytics for Augmented and Mixed Reality Decision Support Systems in Construction
title_full_unstemmed An Interface Design Method Based on Situation Awareness and Immersive Analytics for Augmented and Mixed Reality Decision Support Systems in Construction
title_short An Interface Design Method Based on Situation Awareness and Immersive Analytics for Augmented and Mixed Reality Decision Support Systems in Construction
title_sort interface design method based on situation awareness and immersive analytics for augmented and mixed reality decision support systems in construction
topic augmented reality
mixed reality
situation awareness
immersive analytics
decision support systems
construction
url https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/14/7820
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