Mobile Augmented Reality in Museums : Towards Enhancing Visitor’s Learning Experience

International audienceThis article presents the design and implementationof a handheld Augmented Reality (AR) systemcalled Mobile Augmented Reality Touring System(M.A.R.T.S). The results of experiments conducted duringmuseum visits using this system are also described.These experiments aim at studying how such a tool cantransform the visitor’s learning experience by comparingit to two widely used museum systems. First, wepresent the museum’s learning experience and a relatedmodel which emerged from the state of the art. Thismodel consists of two types of activity experienced bythe observer of a work of art: sensitive and analytical.Then, we detail M.A.R.T.S architecture and implementation.Our empirical study highlights the fact that ARcan direct visitors’ attention by emphasizing and superimposing.Its magnifying and sensitive effects are wellperceived and appreciated by visitors. The obtained resultsreveal that M.A.R.T.S contributes to a worthwhilelearning experience