Is social presence (alone) a general predictor for good remote collaboration? comparing video and augmented reality guidance in maintenance procedures

Abstract A common practice in scenarios of remote collaboration is to provide a representation from distributed team members, aiming positively influence the level social presence and turn work effort. Nevertheless, these stimuli can lead fractured learning experiences, since collaborators need split attention among task, shared information, counterpart representation. This paper explored how last affects presence, other dimensions collaboration, as well task resolution guidance. user study was conducted, comparing two distinct conditions: traditional video chat (team members always visible) Augmented Reality (AR) annotations (collaborators never available). These were selected due ongoing research with partners industry sector, following insights participatory design process. real-life use-case considered, i.e., synchronous maintenance 4 completion stages that required expert using computer guide 37 on-site participants wielding handheld device. The results are described discussed based on data analysis, showing majority preferred AR-based condition, despite absence