  Augmented reality technology has emerged as a promising solution to assist
with wayfinding difficulties, bridging the gap between obtaining navigational
assistance and maintaining an awareness of one's real-world surroundings. This
article presents a systematic review of research literature related to AR
navigation technologies. An in-depth analysis of 65 salient studies was
conducted, addressing four main research topics: 1) current state-of-the-art of
AR navigational assistance technologies, 2) user experiences with these
technologies, 3) the effect of AR on human wayfinding performance, and 4)
impacts of AR on human navigational cognition. Notably, studies demonstrate
that AR can decrease cognitive load and improve cognitive map development, in
contrast to traditional guidance modalities. However, findings regarding
wayfinding performance and user experience were mixed. Some studies suggest
little impact of AR on improving outdoor navigational performance, and certain
information modalities may be distracting and ineffective. This article
discusses these nuances in detail, supporting the conclusion that AR holds
great potential in enhancing wayfinding by providing enriched navigational
cues, interactive experiences, and improved situational awareness.
