Towards Effective Data Visualization by Fusing Immersive Technology into Traditional Workflow

The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
Department of Computer Science and Engineering


PhD Thesis Defence


Title: "Towards Effective Data Visualization by Fusing Immersive Technology
into Traditional Workflow"

by

Mr. Wai TONG


Abstract:

Decisions are increasingly made based on data in the big data era, and data
visualization plays a critical role in assisting people in understanding and
making sense of data effectively. It is then curial to make data visualization
more ubiquitous and effective for decision-making and problem-solving. With the
rapid advancement of immersive technologies, i.e., augmented reality (AR) and
virtual reality (VR), these innovations have shown numerous benefits for making
data analysis more effective and ubiquitous via enhanced sensory perceptions,
larger display areas, 3D rendering capabilities, embodied interactions, and
connections to real-world contexts. However, transitioning visualization
workflows from familiar PCs to relatively new and unfamiliar AR/VR immersive
environments poses significant challenges. The steep learning curve associated
with immersive visualization has impeded widespread user adoption. Besides the
steep learning curve, fully transitioning to AR/VR immersive environments might
lose the unique benefits of traditional visualization workflows (e.g., precise
interaction and strong community support).

This thesis addresses the challenge by fusing immersive technologies into
familiar workflows, thereby reducing the learning curve, improving the user
experience, and utilizing the benefits of both traditional workflow and
immersive technologies. In particular, the thesis investigates two techniques,
paper (traditional) + AR (immersive) and PC (traditional) + VR (immersive). The
paper+AR approach utilizes ubiquitous paper sheets as tangible tokens,
capitalizing on users' familiarity to facilitate seamless interaction with data
in AR. The PC+VR technique merges the conventional PC with VR, leveraging the
familiar input capabilities of PCs and the expansive display space of VR to
accommodate both individual and collaborative scenarios for visual
problem-solving.

By uniting traditional workflows with immersive technology, this thesis seeks
to foster wider acceptance of immersive visualization for effective and
ubiquitous data visualization. Results from the studies present suggestive
evidence of the potential and benefits of combining traditional workflows and
immersive environments for data visualization. The design considerations
distilled from the studies could inspire novel perspectives on connecting
individuals with immersive visualization experiences, laying the groundwork for
future advancements in the field.


Date:			Friday, 18 August 2023

Time:                  	10:30am - 12:30pm

Venue:			Room 5510
  			lifts 25/26

Chairperson:            Prof. Baryon POSADAS (HUMA)

Committee Members:      Prof. Huamin QU (Supervisor)
                        Prof. Ting Chuen PONG (Supervisor)
                        Prof. Andrew HORNER
                        Prof. Xiaojuan MA
                        Prof. Richard SO (IEDA)
                        Prof. Shengdong ZHAO (National Univ of Singapore)


**** ALL are Welcome ****