Usability and accessibility

Usability

UI evolution have been very systematic and meaningful throughout its evolution. As interfaces start to head towards 3D space, it's important to remember the vital requirements of holographic UI to make it meaningful and usable. (Chitranshi 2019)

Requirements for a good usable holographic interface includes:

  1. There has to be no solid background

  2. There has to be thin border UI elements with no fill

  3. There has to be neon or monochrome visuals

  4. There has to be mature gesture based technology.

I predict that like all major interface changes (eg: from analogue buttons to touchscreen on our phones), it will take time for users to adapt to 3d-projection interface systems. Usability in this situation is important as early forms of holographic interfaces might regard a degree of configuration to guide the user on how to navigate thorugh the system (Woolgar 1989)


Accessibility


New technology also needs to be inclusive (to the best of it's abilities) as there are potential features in holographic interfaces which excludes certain users from using them including financial, language, physical and technical barriers. The assumption is, increasing the knowledge and skills of new technology would lead to improved social inclusion through the attainment of skilled jobs, increased wealth, status and prosperity (Lambert, 2020, p.2).


According to UNECCO’s 2012 OER Declaration, part of their recommendation is to “Facilitate enabling environments for use of Information and Communications Technologies (ICT). Bridge the digital divide by developing adequate infrastructure, in particular, affordable broadband connectivity, widespread mobile technology and reliable electrical power supply. Improve media and information literacy and encourage the development and use of OER in open standard digital formats,” (UNESCO, 2012).


As holograms lack haptic feedback or physical controls, a potential issue could arise regarding accessibility for people with disabilities. Even adding simple features like, auto-translations, downloadable lectures with subtitles, alternative texts, and bypass buttons can improve the user experience in a holographic learning experience (Park, Seo, & Cha, 2019).


Bringing Convenience to Users

An alternate view regarding accessibility and usability is assessing the degree of effectiveness and efficiency of the technology. The use of holograms can help save time and resources due to the fact that pretty much any external experience can be replicated anywhere.


Logistics won't be an issue as with holograms, students won't need to be concerned with quotas on field trips, travelling arrangements, additional expenses for exchange trips or missing out on information due to limitations.

In terms of effectiveness, holography can provide virtual hands-on guidance to explain a process, complete a form, or configure a user. It also can simulate scenarios such as emergency response, sales interactions with enhancements such as floating text bubbles to provide detail about a particular physical object, chronological procedure mapping for performing a task, or virtual arrows pointing to the correct button to push on a console as a way to provide greater depth and variety in information presentation.


As for efficiency, there’s less need to travel to a classroom if you can launch interactive, immersive 3D presentations on any desk, wall, or floor and “experience” them through the screen in your hand. Unlike standard video, holographic interfaces add an extra experiential element to the training process. As a result, users can more readily contextualize what they are learning. (Wright 2017)