What is the future of virtual retail? This thesis aims to explore this question by designing and developing mixed reality shoe configurators. ELSE-Corp is a virtual retail company that has a business model proposal that would revolutionize the future of retail. This thesis is a collaboration with ELSE to explore the future of virtual retail in the context of mixed reality. The thesis begins with an explanation of the background of virtual retail and mass customization. Concepts behind mixed reality are explained and clarified. Then, a review of state-of-the-art mixed reality devices for retail applications is made. Guidelines for designing mixed reality interaction techniques and user interfaces are then uncovered to serve as a model when a mixed reality application is developed. Case studies of web-based shoe configurators are conducted to serve as a reference for features and elements that may be integrated to the mixed reality shoe configurator to be designed. A deep investigation about the product to be designed – including a stakeholder analysis and a task analysis – is carried out. Based on these research and analyses, the requirements, priorities and constraints of the project are defined. Interaction techniques are selected based on the requirements, priorities and constraints that were given. An architecture of a shoe configurator for mixed reality environments is then created, then adapted to different platforms. Prototypes are made in three mixed reality devices – Microsoft HoloLens, Oculus DK2 and an Asus Aspire handheld device. Using the developed prototypes, qualitative user testing was done to evaluate the shoe configurator adapted to different platforms. Observations were made during product demos that were executed during the duration of the thesis. The results of the user testing gave insights that are related to the factors that affect shopping in mixed reality environments. Some factors include usability, perceived enjoyment, and 3D authenticity or realism of the virtual objects. Suggested improvements for future versions of the configurator were given.
Qual’è il futuro del virtual retail? Questa tesi ha come obiettivo di analizzare questa domanda progettando e sviluppando un configuratore di scarpe in mixed reality. ELSE-Corp è un’azienda specializzata in virtual reality il cui modello di business potrebbe rivoluzionare il futuro del retail. Questa tesi è una collaborazione con ELSE con lo scopo di esplorare il futuro del virtual retail nel contesto della mixed reality. La tesi inizia con una spiegazione del background del virtual retail e della customizzazione di massa (la cosiddetta “mass customization”). I concetti base che stanno dietro la mixed reality sono spiegati e chiariti. Successivamente, viene presentata una panoramica dello stato dell’arte relativo ai dispositivi che permettono l’utilizzo di mixed reality per applicazioni di retail. Linee guida per la progettazione di tecniche di interazione in mixed reality e di interfacce con l’utente sono analizzate e presentate, con lo scopo di servire come modelli per lo sviluppo di applicazioni in mixed reality. Sono stati analizzati dei casi specifici di configuratori di scarpe “web-based” per creare un riferimento relativo a caratteristiche e elementi che possono essere integrati in applicazioni in mixed reality. È stato preparato anche uno studio preliminare del progetto da realizzare, in termini di analisi di stakeholder e degli obiettivi che si vogliono raggiungere. In seguito a queste ricerche ed analisi sono stati definiti i requisiti, le priorità e i vincoli, e le tecniche di interazione sono state state selezionate in accordo ai requisiti, priorità e vincoli dati. Un’architettura del configuratore di scarpe per ambienti in mixed reality è stata preparata, e poi adattata a diverse piattaforme. Tre prototitpi sono stati preparati per tre diversi dispositivi: Microsoft HoloLens, Oculus DK2 e Asus Aspire Tablet. I prototipi sviluppati sono stati fatti testare da utenti selezionati (alcuni dipendenti di ELSE), e un feedback quantitativo è stato preparato allo scopo di valutare i diversi prototipi. Osservazioni qualitative sono anche state fatte durante i “product demos” che hanno avuto luogo durante l’esecuzione della tesi. Tali risultati hanno permesso di avere una comprensione migliore dei fattori che influenzano lo shopping in ambienti con mixed reality. Alcuni di questi fattori sono: la facilità di utilizzo, la soddisfazione percepita e l’autenticità e realismo dell’ambiente 3D. Al termine di questa tesi sono presentati suggerimenti per il miglioramento e lo sviluppo futuro dei prototipi.
The future of virtual retail. Design & development of mixed reality shoe configurators
ONG, MIREI CELINE
2015/2016
Abstract
What is the future of virtual retail? This thesis aims to explore this question by designing and developing mixed reality shoe configurators. ELSE-Corp is a virtual retail company that has a business model proposal that would revolutionize the future of retail. This thesis is a collaboration with ELSE to explore the future of virtual retail in the context of mixed reality. The thesis begins with an explanation of the background of virtual retail and mass customization. Concepts behind mixed reality are explained and clarified. Then, a review of state-of-the-art mixed reality devices for retail applications is made. Guidelines for designing mixed reality interaction techniques and user interfaces are then uncovered to serve as a model when a mixed reality application is developed. Case studies of web-based shoe configurators are conducted to serve as a reference for features and elements that may be integrated to the mixed reality shoe configurator to be designed. A deep investigation about the product to be designed – including a stakeholder analysis and a task analysis – is carried out. Based on these research and analyses, the requirements, priorities and constraints of the project are defined. Interaction techniques are selected based on the requirements, priorities and constraints that were given. An architecture of a shoe configurator for mixed reality environments is then created, then adapted to different platforms. Prototypes are made in three mixed reality devices – Microsoft HoloLens, Oculus DK2 and an Asus Aspire handheld device. Using the developed prototypes, qualitative user testing was done to evaluate the shoe configurator adapted to different platforms. Observations were made during product demos that were executed during the duration of the thesis. The results of the user testing gave insights that are related to the factors that affect shopping in mixed reality environments. Some factors include usability, perceived enjoyment, and 3D authenticity or realism of the virtual objects. Suggested improvements for future versions of the configurator were given.| File | Dimensione | Formato | |
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2017_04_ONG.pdf
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https://hdl.handle.net/10589/132898