Designing a mobile augmented reality tool for the locative visualisation of biomedical knowledge.

Mobile augmented reality (MAR) may offer new and engaging ways to support consumer participation in health. We report on design-based research into a MAR application for smartphones and tablets, intended to improve public engagement with biomedical research in a specific urban precinct. Following a review of technical capabilities and organizational and locative design considerations, we worked with staff of four research institutes to elicit their ideas about information and interaction functionalities of a shared MAR app. The results were promising, supporting the development of a prototype and initial field testing with these staff. Evidence from this project may point the way toward user-centred design of MAR services that will enable more widespread adoption of the technology in other healthcare and biomedical research contexts.