Understanding Asymmetric Collaboration in Augmented and Virtual Reality Immersive Environments

Lijie Zheng, Guoyueyang Cheng, Shaoteng Ke, Jiachen Yuan, Boon Giin Lee, Matthew Pike

UIST Adjunct '25: Adjunct Proceedings of the 38th Annual ACM Symposium on User Interface Software and Technology, September 2025

asymmetric interaction, augmented reality, virtual reality, collaborative learning, immersive environments

Abstract

Asymmetric interaction designs improve collaboration and engagement in immersive learning. However, comparative studies between virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) are limited. This study examines how asymmetric interactions influence collaborative behaviors among unacquainted users in VR and AR. A controlled experiment with 52 participants was conducted, in which pairs completed puzzles incorporating informational, positional, and visual asymmetries. The results reveal that VR significantly improved immersion and flow, whereas AR promoted greater contextual awareness and natural coordination. Furthermore, VR was associated with increased cybersickness, while AR participants experienced greater disorientation. This study provides valuable information for optimizing collaborative learning and interaction design in immersive environments.