*concept draft of AR+IQ functionality UI/UX features with reference to the ARTIVIST series, Calgary 5GDZ demo site, and my research proposal.

iSPARX Innovation Inc.
Platform Calgary, 
407 9 Ave SE, Calgary, AB T2G 2K7, Canada
REGISTRY ID: 2026466595

iSPARX.group Limited
NVLP | GMA
34 Molyneux Close, Whitby, Porirua 5024, New Zealand
NZBN: 9429048503433

RE : *concept draft of AR+IQ functionality UI/UX features with reference to the ARTIVIST series, Calgary 5GDZ demo site, and my research proposal.

AR+IQ: Concept for Functional UI/UX Features (Revised Scope)

Context and Intent

The suspension of disbelief is typically studied in entertainment contexts; however, this research pivots to investigate its utility in functional AR - where realism, trust, and utility are critical to user engagement. This proposal repositions AR+IQ as a real-world index interface optimised for navigation, interaction, and storytelling through geospatial and multimodal AI features.

Revised Research Objective

To explore how functional AR can harness user suspension of disbelief to enhance engagement, trust, and decision-making in real-world contexts such as events, exhibitions, and urban navigation, measured through workshops, surveys, and live AR+IQ activations.

Core UX/UI Feature Set

1. Geo-Spatial Anchored Content Modules

• Location-sensitive triggers via 5G/GPS/WiFi triangulation.

• Anchored immersive content using Unity/Unreal Engine tied to local POIs.

• Calgary 5GDZ as a demonstrator - live tested with municipal datasets and event markers.

2. Modular Avatar Interface (AR+concierge™)

• AI-generated guides (realistic or stylised avatars).

• Natural language interface powered by GPT + iSPARX CMS.

• Adaptive dialogue with emotion-driven responses, contextual to space and user interaction history.

3. Multi-Layered Content Navigation (AR+guide™)

• Users can filter content types (historical, cultural, commercial, wayfinding).

• UX radial menus and gesture driven interface (e.g. pinch, swipe, gaze).

• Hierarchical data visualisation - map overlay → zoom-in object metadata → multimedia playback.

4. Immersive Storytelling Channels (AR+story™)

• Layered narrative formats (audio/visual/text/3D).

• Time-triggered or spatially embedded sequences (e.g. artist retrospectives, city timelines).

• Includes interactive ‘choose-your-path’ experiences tailored to context.

5. Index UI (AR+artist™ & AR+collection™)

• Catalogue of AR assets (e.g. artist portfolios, installations).

• Users can toggle between grid/list/map views.

• Asset detail screens include 3D previews, streaming media, and artist commentary.

6. Data and Behaviour Analytics

• In-app heatmaps, dwell time metrics, emotional sentiment from avatars.

• Ethically managed opt-in data collection aligned with academyEX Ethics Guidelines.

UI/UX Design Language

• Design principles: transparency, minimalism, accessibility (WCAG 2.1), Indigenous-led values (e.g. Whakapapa & Manaakitanga).

• Visual identity: bi-cultural palette, dynamic grid layouts, responsive typography.

• Input methods: touch, gaze (AVP/Meta), speech (contextual command recognition).

User Personas

• Cultural Explorer: Engages with layered stories at exhibitions.

• Event Visitor: Navigates AR overlays at festivals.

• Everyday User: Accesses concierge info while commuting or shopping.

• Artist/Producer: Uploads and edits AR content via CMS on web/mobile.

Scope Adjustment (2025 Timeline)

• Workshops moved to September 2025, focusing on UI heuristics and participatory design.

• Public demo at Calgary in November 2025 (aligned with Rogers 5GDZ infrastructure).

• Survey instrument redesigned to measure functional immersion and practical benefit over traditional "presence" metrics.

Revised set of ethical considerations for the deployment of AR+IQ in functional real-world contexts, aligned with the postponed timeline and the focus on suspension of disbelief as a utility mechanism. This update aligns with the academyEX Student Ethics Form Template, Ethics Worksheet, and iSPARX™ kaupapa.

Updated Ethical Considerations for AR+IQ Deployment (2025)

1. Informed Consent and Transparency

• Participants in workshops and field trials must be informed that AR+IQ uses real-time data collection (location, interaction, audio/video capture).

• Consent includes disclosure about the nature of AI-generated content and the use of suspension of disbelief in functional contexts.

• Clear opt-in interfaces with the ability to revoke consent easily.

2. Cultural Safety and Indigenous Protocols

• The AR+IQ platform integrates place-based narratives and geospatial data, often intersecting with Indigenous knowledge systems.

• All content involving mātauranga Māori or Indigenous IP must be co-created, consented to, and acknowledged under principles of Tino Rangatiratanga and Mana Motuhake.

• Collaborations must follow tikanga and appropriate consultation pathways (e.g. iwi representatives, kaupapa Māori advisors).

3. Data Sovereignty and Storage

• All data collected during the pilot (video logs, survey responses, behavioural data) must be:

• Stored in secure servers within Aotearoa and/or Canada, respecting Indigenous data sovereignty.

• Retained only for the minimum necessary period.

• Used solely for academic research and prototype development unless explicitly agreed otherwise.

4. Psychological and Emotional Impacts

• Given the use of immersive storytelling and avatars, participants may engage with emotionally charged or ambiguous content.

• Mitigation includes:

• Content warnings where appropriate.

• User control over content engagement and narrative pacing.

• Ability to disengage without penalty or data loss.

5. Accessibility and Inclusion

• AR+IQ must comply with WCAG 2.1 accessibility standards.

• Interfaces must consider users with visual/hearing impairments, limited mobility, or neurodiverse needs.

• Surveys and evaluations will be inclusive of users across diverse backgrounds and language proficiencies.

6. Algorithmic Fairness and AI Governance

• AI systems (e.g. concierge avatars) should not replicate bias or reinforce stereotypes.

• Models must be trained with diverse datasets or use synthetic generation techniques to maintain ethical representation.

• All AI outputs must be clearly identified as non-human and offer fallback options to human input when feasible.

7. Evaluation and Participant Safety

• Real-world testing in the Calgary 5GDZ zone includes public deployment of functional AR.

Research design must include:

• Clear participant markers (e.g. badges or app status) so bystanders are not unknowingly included.

• Moderation protocols in place during workshops and on-site trials.

• Debrief sessions for participants post-interaction to identify distress or technical failure.

Project Overview (Ethics Form / Learning Agreement)

Title
AR+concierge™ — How does user interaction in an AR experience affect the suspension of disbelief?

Overview
This research project explores the integration of Heads-Up Display (HOD) functionality within AR+ environments, focusing on the practical and ethical implications of ambient, context-aware digital layers that support everyday human tasks. The central aim is to examine how non-intrusive, functional augmented reality can serve users in real-world contexts—such as wayfinding, communication, information retrieval, and task completion—without novelty-driven distractions or sensory overload.

The AR+concierge™ platform, powered by iSPARX™, is designed around utility-first principles. It frames augmented reality not as a visual novelty, but as a pragmatic interface woven into spatial environments. This HOD-driven interface supports intuitive, glanceable interactions that enhance human cognition and behaviour, enabling users to "interact with their environment to achieve daily goals"—such as checking messages, browsing a shopping site, or engaging with work tasks—without being tethered to a traditional screen or mobile UI.

Ethical Considerations
The project intentionally resists hyper-stimulation and prioritises consent-based, contextually relevant engagement. AR+ modules are activated only in proximity to geofenced areas or user-initiated triggers, minimising unsolicited attention capture. The research further evaluates the ethical design of notification systems, data collection practices, and the safeguarding of cultural and personal space. By embedding kaupapa Māori values and universal design principles, the project aspires to model an equitable and inclusive approach to ambient computing.

Expected Benefits and Contribution
This work contributes to the discourse on ethical immersive media by offering a blueprint for AR applications that are responsive, situational, and culturally aware. It advances the understanding of how future interface paradigms—grounded in HOD and spatial computing—can serve real human needs, respect autonomy, and support the UN SDGs relating to sustainable innovation and inclusive infrastructure.

Conclusion

The AR+ functional concept repositions augmented reality from an entertainment-driven overlay to a purpose-built extension of daily human interaction. By prioritising context-aware, heads-up functionality, the platform serves as a responsive digital scaffold—supporting tasks, reducing cognitive load, and enhancing situational awareness without displacing user agency. This shift from novelty to necessity reflects a deeper ethical and technological alignment: one where immersive systems are not just technically advanced, but socially and culturally responsible. As spatial computing continues to evolve, AR+ must remain anchored in principles of utility, integrity, and inclusivity—ensuring it enriches human experience without overwhelming it.

Sincerely, Ngā mihi

Joff Rae

CIO / Producer / Director

iSPARX INNOVATION INC.