LeARn Flags: Assessment of the learning curve of inexperienced users with gesture interactions with hands-free augmented reality

Hands-free augmented reality (HAR) is intrinsically different from mobile augmented reality (MAR), as the interactions with the digital or holographic content happen with HAR in 3D space. For novel users, this method of interaction can be difficult to learn, as learned affordances for interacting with digital content are mostly based on screen interactions by touch or keyboard and mouse. Available HAR devices, such as HoloLens 2 and Meta Quest Pro, are still quite expensive and unobtainable for consumers, which is why most people have no prior experience with them. In this work in progress, we use a game prototype: LeARn Flags for Meta Quest Pro to observe differences between experienced (N=5) and inexperienced (N=5) users with HAR. The learning curve is observable in our findings, which suggests that this method with some improvements is viable for the assessment of the training requirements for novel users. Based on our findings, we suggest that a 4-5-minute tutorial phase is required for pinch gesture for novel users.