Designing and Evaluating Augmented Reality Systems for Supporting Nonspeaking Individuals in Daily Communication Tasks

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dc.contributor.advisorKim, Kangsoo
dc.contributor.advisorKrishnamurthy, Diwakar
dc.contributor.authorFrancis, Michael
dc.contributor.committeememberFar, Behrouz
dc.contributor.committeememberAbdel Latif, Ahmad
dc.date2025-06
dc.date.accessioned2025-02-04T18:10:52Z
dc.date.available2025-02-04T18:10:52Z
dc.date.issued2025-01-31
dc.description.abstractThis work discusses the development and evaluation of an augmented reality (AR) system called CommunicatAR, designed to assist nonspeaking individuals in being independent of an aid worker while communicating with others. The system employs interactive conversational virtual agents that utilize computer vision and natural language processing to facilitate real-time interactions, for this study particularly while ordering a drink at a caf\'e. The research involved two main experiments: the first with neurotypical participants (n=30) to assess usability, task load, and the perception of independence and the second with nonspeaking autistic individuals (n=3) to evaluate the system's effectiveness using feedback from the final intended user group. Findings indicated that higher usability of the system correlated with increased independence in communication, suggesting that AR technology can significantly improve the daily lives of nonspeaking users. This research highlights the potential of assistive technologies to empower marginalized groups, particularly those with communication challenges, and the need for individualized treatment plans.
dc.identifier.citationFrancis, M. (2025). Designing and evaluating augmented reality systems for supporting nonspeaking individuals in daily communication tasks (Master's thesis, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada). Retrieved from https://prism.ucalgary.ca.
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/1880/120716
dc.language.isoen
dc.publisher.facultyGraduate Studies
dc.publisher.institutionUniversity of Calgary
dc.rightsUniversity of Calgary graduate students retain copyright ownership and moral rights for their thesis. You may use this material in any way that is permitted by the Copyright Act or through licensing that has been assigned to the document. For uses that are not allowable under copyright legislation or licensing, you are required to seek permission.
dc.subjectAugmented Reality
dc.subject.classificationEngineering--Electronics and Electrical
dc.titleDesigning and Evaluating Augmented Reality Systems for Supporting Nonspeaking Individuals in Daily Communication Tasks
dc.typemaster thesis
thesis.degree.disciplineEngineering – Electrical & Computer
thesis.degree.grantorUniversity of Calgary
thesis.degree.nameMaster of Science (MSc)
ucalgary.thesis.accesssetbystudentI do not require a thesis withhold – my thesis will have open access and can be viewed and downloaded publicly as soon as possible.
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