AntarcticAR: An Outdoor AR Experience of a Virtual Tour to Antarctica

Abstract

In this paper we introduce AntarcticAR, a mobile outdoor Augmented Reality (AR) application that provides a virtual tour of Antarctica. Outdoor AR interfaces have often been used as a navigational tool, providing information related to the real world environment where the user is located in. In contrast, this research explores using outdoor AR to provide a virtual tour that has little relationship with the user’s real environment. The AntarcticAR application allows people to virtually visit places of interest in Antarctica or follow historic expeditions to the South Pole. The paper describes the design and implementation of the application, and reports on a user study with members of the public. Users felt that the application provided a compelling virtual tour, and that the outdoor AR technology especially enriched the experience.