2025/08/12 by Shengkai Wang, Bing Liu, Yu Feng +2 · 2 voices
Computer Science · Engineering · #Augmented Reality Applications #Robotics and Sensor-Based Localization #Spatial Cognition and Navigation
paper · doi:10.1080/15230406.2025.2517605
openalex publication_date 2025/08/12 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/29
Human spatial learning is significantly hindered by limited environmental visibility, especially in indoor settings. Individuals need to rely on the mental integration of fragmented local spatial knowledge obtained from multiple viewpoints to construct a comprehensive and unified cognitive map. However, mental integration can lead to distortions and errors in spatial knowledge. To improve the user’s spatial learning performance, we proposed an X-ray vision-enabled mixed reality (MR) interface to extend the environmental visibility in indoor environments. An eye-tracking-based user study involving 63 participants was conducted to explore the influence of X-ray vision on human spatial learning. The results yielded the following findings: (1) X-ray vision can significantly improve participants’ perception of angle information by directly presenting spatial relations occluded by real objects; (2) The accuracy of participants’ spatial knowledge acquired with X-ray vision was enhanced with reduced mental integration. (3) Despite potential visual complexity, X-ray vision neither impairs participants’ learning efficiency nor increases cognitive load. (4) Increased environmental visibility prompts participants to shift visual attention between landmarks and routes more frequently rather than maintaining a fixed forward gaze for navigation. These findings offer new insights into the design of indoor X-ray vision and contribute to the development of MR-based spatial learning and navigation assistance.