The Effects of the Complexity of 3D Virtual Objects on Visual Working Memory Capacity in AR Interface for Mobile Phones

The current study aims to investigate the effects of 3D virtual object complexity on visual working memory capacity in mobile augmented reality (MAR) interfaces. With the popularity of augmented reality technology in mobile applications, 3D virtual elements play a key role in interaction. However, p...

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Main Authors: Xingcheng Di, Jing Zhang, Shangsong Jiang, Wei Xu, Nuowen Zhang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-10-01
Series:Applied Sciences
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/14/21/9776
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author Xingcheng Di
Jing Zhang
Shangsong Jiang
Wei Xu
Nuowen Zhang
author_facet Xingcheng Di
Jing Zhang
Shangsong Jiang
Wei Xu
Nuowen Zhang
author_sort Xingcheng Di
collection DOAJ
description The current study aims to investigate the effects of 3D virtual object complexity on visual working memory capacity in mobile augmented reality (MAR) interfaces. With the popularity of augmented reality technology in mobile applications, 3D virtual elements play a key role in interaction. However, prior studies ignored the correlation between virtual object presentation and visual working memory (VWM). Given that visual working memory capacity is closely related to overall cognitive ability, the current study explored the relationship between the complexity of 3D virtual objects and VWM capacity in AR interfaces. Sixty volunteers participated in a 5-point Likert scale rating to eliminate the interference factors of familiarity, concreteness and similarity in 3D virtual material objects. Then, we further conducted an MAR change detection paradigm experiment and successfully manipulated the complexity of 3D virtual objects and the set size. Thirty-one subjects completed the formal experiment. Three measurements (reaction time, proportion correct, and Cowan’s K) were analyzed for nine experimental conditions (three object complexity levels and three object set sizes). The results confirmed that the visual working memory capacity in mobile AR interfaces is modulated by the complexity of the 3D virtual objects and set size, which decreases with the increase in complexity and set size of the displayed 3D virtual objects. As the complexity of the 3D virtual objects increases, the amount of resources allocated to each item decreases, resulting in a decrease in memory capacity and memory accuracy. This study highlights the effectiveness of VWM capacity in MAR interface design research and provides valuable insights into determining the best way to present 3D virtual objects.
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spelling doaj-art-fd55d179284647c997b992cb859a16ae2025-08-20T02:49:49ZengMDPI AGApplied Sciences2076-34172024-10-011421977610.3390/app14219776The Effects of the Complexity of 3D Virtual Objects on Visual Working Memory Capacity in AR Interface for Mobile PhonesXingcheng Di0Jing Zhang1Shangsong Jiang2Wei Xu3Nuowen Zhang4College of Furnishings and Industrial Design, Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, ChinaCollege of Furnishings and Industrial Design, Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, ChinaCollege of Furnishings and Industrial Design, Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, ChinaCollege of Furnishings and Industrial Design, Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, ChinaCollege of Furnishings and Industrial Design, Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, ChinaThe current study aims to investigate the effects of 3D virtual object complexity on visual working memory capacity in mobile augmented reality (MAR) interfaces. With the popularity of augmented reality technology in mobile applications, 3D virtual elements play a key role in interaction. However, prior studies ignored the correlation between virtual object presentation and visual working memory (VWM). Given that visual working memory capacity is closely related to overall cognitive ability, the current study explored the relationship between the complexity of 3D virtual objects and VWM capacity in AR interfaces. Sixty volunteers participated in a 5-point Likert scale rating to eliminate the interference factors of familiarity, concreteness and similarity in 3D virtual material objects. Then, we further conducted an MAR change detection paradigm experiment and successfully manipulated the complexity of 3D virtual objects and the set size. Thirty-one subjects completed the formal experiment. Three measurements (reaction time, proportion correct, and Cowan’s K) were analyzed for nine experimental conditions (three object complexity levels and three object set sizes). The results confirmed that the visual working memory capacity in mobile AR interfaces is modulated by the complexity of the 3D virtual objects and set size, which decreases with the increase in complexity and set size of the displayed 3D virtual objects. As the complexity of the 3D virtual objects increases, the amount of resources allocated to each item decreases, resulting in a decrease in memory capacity and memory accuracy. This study highlights the effectiveness of VWM capacity in MAR interface design research and provides valuable insights into determining the best way to present 3D virtual objects.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/14/21/9776mobile augmented reality (MAR)visual working memory capacityobject complexity3D virtual elements
spellingShingle Xingcheng Di
Jing Zhang
Shangsong Jiang
Wei Xu
Nuowen Zhang
The Effects of the Complexity of 3D Virtual Objects on Visual Working Memory Capacity in AR Interface for Mobile Phones
Applied Sciences
mobile augmented reality (MAR)
visual working memory capacity
object complexity
3D virtual elements
title The Effects of the Complexity of 3D Virtual Objects on Visual Working Memory Capacity in AR Interface for Mobile Phones
title_full The Effects of the Complexity of 3D Virtual Objects on Visual Working Memory Capacity in AR Interface for Mobile Phones
title_fullStr The Effects of the Complexity of 3D Virtual Objects on Visual Working Memory Capacity in AR Interface for Mobile Phones
title_full_unstemmed The Effects of the Complexity of 3D Virtual Objects on Visual Working Memory Capacity in AR Interface for Mobile Phones
title_short The Effects of the Complexity of 3D Virtual Objects on Visual Working Memory Capacity in AR Interface for Mobile Phones
title_sort effects of the complexity of 3d virtual objects on visual working memory capacity in ar interface for mobile phones
topic mobile augmented reality (MAR)
visual working memory capacity
object complexity
3D virtual elements
url https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/14/21/9776
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