Semantically Enriched Augmented Reality Applications: A Proposed System Architecture and a Case Study

Abstract

With a view to creating a mixed reality that combines coexisting real and virtual objects and to providing users with real-time access to information in an interactive manner, augmented reality enriches users’ physical environment by incorporating digital and real objects and rendering them in the physical environment in the proper time and spatial framework. Due to its nature, augmented reality can be combined with and exploit other innovative technologies in order to improve its efficiency and potentials. Some such technologies are semantic web, knowledge graphs and deep learning. The study main purpose and contribution is to showcase the benefits of developing semantically enriched augmented reality applications and to present a system architecture for developing such applications as well as to showcase and assess an augmented reality application developed following the proposed architecture. The specific application aims at facilitating end-users’ day-to-day activities, enhancing the learning and informing process and increasing user experience (UX). The results of this study showcase that such applications have the potential to be applied and positively affect various sectors and that they can be a useful, flexible, interactive and informative tool for end-users.