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Ensuring Reliable AR Solutions
Understanding and testing augmented reality is paramount if you are striving to position your organization at the forefront of tech innovation. Effective testing is crucial to ensure AR projects not only impress users, but work reliably every single time.
If your software fails once it hits a “real world” environment, in a best case scenario your user will be frustrated and give up on it altogether. If your app is used in healthcare, surgery, or military situations, though, the consequences of ineffective testing could be much more dire. Before hiring an augmented reality development company, make sure you ask about their testing process to evaluate if it will meet the demands of your project. This article will equip you with the right questions to ask before you choose the right partner.
Evaluating Testing Credibility
Before embarking on an AR project, it's vital to dig deep into the testing protocols of potential development agencies. The development company’s goal shouldn’t be just about finding glitches and fixing them; they should focus on ensuring the entire user experience is seamless. That includes providing a fantastic experience in a variety of situations - in low lighting, a chaotic crowd, or any other environment where you might expect your users to be engaging with your app.
Every project has its own unique requirements, and thus, its own set of tests that it needs. The right questions can help you to discern the competency of your potential partners. Does the agency understand your target audience? Do they know (and truly understand) how users will interact with your application in real-world scenarios? What conditions do they expect to be most challenging, for your app to work properly? An agency’s answers to these questions will provide insight into their testing depth and rigor.
Navigating the Landscape of Testing Augmented Reality
At DAS Labs, we incorporate double verification testing as a standard. This means that two people both need to perform a test in order for it to count, which significantly reduces the risk of user error and “flukes” in testing. User interface and field testing are both common foundations for software testing, so regardless of your application’s intended use, your development partner should conduct those. The specifics of an application often necessitate additional tests, the most common of which we’ve outlined below.
Penetration Testing: In today’s world, where cyber threats are always looming, understanding potential vulnerabilities is critical. This test determines how secure your AR application is from external threats.
Unit Testing: By breaking the application down into its smallest components and testing each one, agencies ensure every piece works as intended.
Loss of Connection Testing: Users might be in areas of poor connectivity. Ensuring the AR app can handle such situations gracefully is crucial for user satisfaction.
Multiple Aspect Ratio Testing: With a myriad of devices out there, it's crucial to provide a consistent experience across all of them.
Localization Loss: AR's magic lies in overlaying digital elements onto the real world. When markers or world tracking is lost, the experience can be jarring. Efficient handling of such scenarios is imperative.
Incorporating Diverse Perspectives
Some think that testing is a niche job best left to specialists. However, fresh eyes can often catch issues that dedicated experts might overlook. At DAS Labs, inclusivity in testing is a core philosophy. Every team member, regardless of their designation, participates. This multifaceted approach, combining the expertise of dedicated testers with the fresh perspective of other team members, often results in a more comprehensive testing outcome.
A Case Study on Interpreting Results
A few years ago, DAS Labs was running a demonstration of an almost-complete project for the client’s CEO. Suddenly, things started going awry in a way that we hadn’t seen during development. We were presenting in a typical corporate meeting room, with a conference table, chairs, and a whiteboard. Our CEO, Michael Dykier, immediately saw the issue - the SLAM was tracking the reflective points of contrast from the whiteboard! In this case, the fix was simple. The environment in which the app would be used had no reflective surfaces, so there was no risk of a glare interfering with the AR experience in practice. To finish the demonstration, we covered the whiteboard and explained to the client that the app was configured for the lighting in the environment where it would be used, post-launch.
A Comprehensive Project Management Approach at DAS Labs
Embarking on an AR journey can be daunting, especially for those unfamiliar with its intricacies. This is where the value of a knowledgeable project manager shines. At DAS, our managers aren’t just overseers; they’re technical experts, bridging the gap between client vision and technological execution. Their dual capability to delve into technicalities and communicate broader project goals ensures clients are always in the loop, confident in the project's direction.
In our rapidly evolving digital age, AR stands out as a transformative force. To truly leverage its potential, meticulous testing and a reliable developmental partner are non-negotiable. Ready to embark on your AR journey? Request a free consultation with DAS Labs to set your project on the path to success.