Mobile augmented reality for cultural heritage: A technology acceptance study

We have developed a mobile augmented reality application with historical photographs and information about a historical street. We follow a design science research methodology and use an extended version of the technology acceptance model (TAM) to study the acceptance of this application. A prototype has been developed in accordance with general principles for usability design, and two surveys have been conducted. A web survey with 200 participants that watched a short video demonstration of the application to validate the adapted acceptance model, and a street survey, where 42 participants got the opportunity to try the application in a live setting before answering a similar questionnaire and provide more concrete feedback. The results show that both perceived usefulness and perceived enjoyment has a direct impact on the intention to use mobile augmented reality applications with historical pictures and information. Further a number of practical recommendations for the development and deployment of such systems are provided.