Tabletop AR with HMD and Tablet: A Comparative Study for 3D Selection

We experimentally compare the performance and usability of tablet-based and see-through head-mounted display (HMD)-based interaction techniques for selecting 3D virtual objects projected on a table. This study is a first step toward a better understanding of the advantages and limitations of these interaction techniques, with the perspective of improving interaction with augmented maps. To this end, we evaluate the performance of 3 interaction techniques in selecting 3D virtual objects in sparse and dense environments: (1) the direct touch interaction with a HMD; (2) the ray-casting interaction with a HMD; and (3) the touch interaction on a tablet. Our results show that the two techniques using a HMD are faster, less physically tiring and preferred by the participants over the tablet. The HMD-based interaction techniques perform equally well but the direct touch technique seems to be less impacted by small targets and occlusion.