Review and discussion of the WebXR Hit Test Module FPWD

Hi all,

I have reviewed the WebXR Hit Test Module FPWD as per my action item. [1]

Overview

It describes a mechanism for allowing WebXR applications to cast rays 
into the users' real world environment and report back, allowing virtual 
objects to be placed in alignment with those surfaces. It's an extension 
of 'WebXR Device API' and 'WebXR Augmented Reality Module'. [2] [3]

NOTE: Hit testing, as understood by this document, is an act of checking 
if a ray intersects with 'real world' as understood by the underlying 
Augmented Reality hardware & software.

While this is rather low level, it kinda bubbles fast IMO. I'd like a 
second opinion in particular because this spec allows a 'scanning' of 
the users environment to overlay stuff onto the external environment. 
I'm initially flagging privacy concerns - but these may be global and 
not particular to people with disabilities.

Here is my draft response regarding this spec:

The Accessible Platform Architectures (APA) working group has reviewed 
the first public working draft of the 'WebXR Hit Test Module' 
https://www.w3.org/TR/webxr-hit-test-1/.

We have the following questions:

* Some questions are around potential privacy implications especially 
for people with disabilities. For them to fully make use of this module 
and its potential, APA are asking if there any aspects of how assistive 
technology may use or interact this the dynamics of this module that are 
of concern?

* APA would like to flag that there may be orientation issues (such as 
Failure due to locking the orientation to landscape or portrait view) 
with this module relating to not 'constraining' how this module uses 
it's overlay technology. [4]

[1] https://www.w3.org/WAI/APA/wiki/WebXR_Hit_Test_Module
[2] https://www.w3.org/TR/webxr/
[3] https://github.com/immersive-web/webxr-ar-module/
[4] https://w3c.github.io/wcag/techniques/failures/F97

Thanks

Josh

-- 
Emerging Web Technology Specialist/Accessibility (WAI/W3C)

Received on Wednesday, 29 September 2021 13:51:48 UTC