Mixed reality is rather new technology, but already aroused interest of the cartographers and other specialists from geo-visualization domain due to its promising natural ways of interaction with data visualizations. The current research of its applicability to the cartographic visualizations, including spatiotemporal visualizations, is limited and needs further investigation.
The general goal of the thesis is to investigate the applicability of the mixed reality environment in the domain of spatiotemporal representations on the example of the space-time cube. The research is narrowed down to the implementation of the space-time cube for the depiction of the cultural landscape changes.
The virtual mixed-reality hologram of the space-time cube representing cultural landscape changes based on the case study of the landscape of the Royal Castle in Warsaw for the HoloLens headset is developed. The elements of the space-time cube suitable for this thematic domain are defined. Cartographic principles and map elements are integrated into the visualization. Visual variables are implemented in regard to mixed reality rendering specificity. Interactivity of the application attempts to make use of novel interaction possibilities of the mixed reality, such as gaze, gesture and voice input.
For the usability evaluation of the developed space-time cube hologram the empirical study is conducted among 20 participants. The evaluation is performed within the developed application and does not compare it to any other visualization. It explores and evaluates the overall comfort of interactions with the hologram, perception of the visual component of the space-time cube, determines advantageous features and limitations of the technology. It is found that the limitations are mostly connected with the current development of the mixed reality technology and the device used for visualization. The interaction through gaze, gesture and voice have positive feedback from the users, but still need time to get used to them. Regarding the visual constituent further research should be performed in terms of transparent rendering of the hologram and changing of the visual contrast with changing of the surrounding working space.
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Mixed reality is rather new technology, but already aroused interest of the cartographers and other specialists from geo-visualization domain due to its promising natural ways of interaction with data visualizations. The current research of its applicability to the cartographic visualizations, including spatiotemporal visualizations, is limited and needs further investigation.
The general goal of the thesis is to investigate the applicability of the mixed reality environment in the domain of sp...
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