From Everyday Technologies to Augmented Reality: An Autoethnographic Study of Presence and Engagement

TL;DR

The paper investigates whether wearable augmented reality (AR) can enhance present-moment engagement rather than amplify digital distraction. Using an autoethnographic approach, the author analyzes 20 self-recorded experiences over four weeks to understand how everyday technologies mediate presence and to derive design implications for wearable AR. It identifies patterns where technology both distracts and supports real-world engagement, and proposes context-aware, low-friction AR interventions—such as ambient cues, hands-free lookups, and mindful nudges—to balance digital tasks with physical presence. The study argues that, when thoughtfully designed, wearable AR can foster digital wellbeing by subtly guiding attention back to the surrounding environment, with implications for autonomy and user-centered design.

Abstract

Digital technologies are reshaping how people experience their surroundings, often pulling focus toward virtual spaces and making it harder to stay present and engaged. Wearable augmented reality (AR), by embedding digital information into the physical world, may further immerse users in digital layers. Yet paradoxically, it also holds the potential to support presence and engagement. To explore this possibility, this study adopts an autoethnographic approach, providing a first-person perspective on how everyday technologies shape real-world engagement. Over four weeks, 20 experiences were documented, capturing interactions with phones, laptops, and fitness trackers in various contexts. The findings reveal nuanced patterns of technology use and propose design implications for wearable AR, emphasising its potential for personalised, context-aware interventions that support meaningful real-world connection. This work contributes to the discourse on digital well-being, suggesting that wearable AR can evolve beyond digital augmentation to help users reconnect with their surroundings.