Making despite Material Constraints with Augmented Reality-Mediated Prototyping
Sowmya Somanath, Lora Oehlberg, Ehud Sharlin · 2020
We present a discussion on designing an Augmented Reality (AR)-based prototyping approach to help makers continue building low-fidelity physical computing projects despite material constraints and demonstrate an example, Polymorphic Cube (PMC). Lack of immediate or easy access to electronics is a roadblock to building physical computing projects. We present AR-mediated prototyping as an approach where mobile AR can be used to simulate missing I/O components in-situ during electronics prototyping. Using our suggested approach makers can build a circuit with available real-world materials, substitute the missing components using any augmented physical proxy, and continue implementation tinkering and interaction with the hybrid circuit. Evaluation of PMC demonstrated that users can leverage computing to overcome the lack of electronic components and build low-fidelity prototypes to support design thinking. Our study revealed the benefits and limitations of our current prototype system and encourages future explorations into an AR-mediated prototyping approach to making.