Spatial Computing Through an HCI Lens - UX Evaluation Based on Situatedness

The field of spatial computing is attracting increasing attention. Despite this, aspects related to user experience and evaluation methods are not yet established. The current state of the art in UX and UX evaluation needs to be extended to include aspects that are usually not considered when interacting with mobile or desktop applications. In spatial computing, devices are aware of 3-dimensional physical space and enable human actions with spatial meaning. However, it is important that applications consider not only the user’s environment from a spatial perspective, but also other relevant contextual aspects such as the emotions of a place, the surrounding community, and the broader goals of the activity. This approach provides a new perspective and is complementary to the current state of the art. This paper presents three examples of applications in spatial computing and demonstrates the potential aspects to be considered in the context of the experience and how the interaction could be evaluated, using an open-ended interpretive methodology. It explores methods and aspects relevant to spatial computing, highlighting opportunities and tools for evaluating the user experience. This encourages a more comprehensive approach and allows to analyse a situation holistically. The results indicate that while methods and considerations exist, there is currently no coherent methodology that integrates all relevant aspects. This finding may provide the basis for a new perspective on spatial computing and highlights the great potential of this technology to provide exceptional user experiences.