Embedding Spatial Augmented Reality in Culinary Training: A Comparative Evaluation of sAR Kitchen and Video Tutorials

Cooking is a multitasking and rule-based task that can benefit from augmented reality. This paper introduces sAR Kitchen , an AR-based cooking assistant designed to incorporate spatial augmented reality (sAR) into culinary training. We investigated the effects of instructions provided through our proposed sAR system compared to a monitor display featuring video tutorials in a task involving making playdough, which serves as a representation of a cooking task. We assessed perceived workload, usability, and performance measures (including task completion time, product quality, and cooking station messiness) through a user study involving twenty-two participants. We conducted a statistical comparison between the two methods to explore significant differences. Additionally, we analyzed open-ended questions to provide further insights based on the participants' statements. The results indicated that sAR significantly reduced the perceived workload and improved the system's usability. Furthermore, the AR instructions for training proved to be as effective as conventional methods of instruction while also addressing some of the limitations associated with standard displays and enhancing the overall user experience. This study has the potential to pave the way for more efficient learning and training methods by incorporating spatial augmented reality.