Differential effects of head-mounted displays on visual performance

Abstract

Head-mounted displays (HMDs) virtually augment the visual world to aid visual task completion. Three types of HMDs were compared [look around (LA); optical see-through with organic light emitting diodes and virtual retinal display] to determine whether LA, leaving the observer functionally monocular, is inferior. Response times and error rates were determined for a combined visual search and Go-NoGo task. The costs of switching between displays were assessed separately. Finally, HMD effects on basic visual functions were quantified. Effects of HMDs on visual search and Go-NoGo task were small, but for LA display-switching costs for the Go-NoGo-task the effects were pronounced. Basic visual functions were most affected for LA (reduced visual acuity and visual field sensitivity, inaccurate vergence movements and absent stereo-vision). LA involved comparatively high switching costs for the Go-NoGo task, which might indicate reduced processing of external control cues. Reduced basic visual functions are a likely cause of this effect.

Abstract

Practitioner Summary: We assessed how basic visual functions are affected in different head-mounted displays (HMDs) and how this relates to their efficiency in reality augmentation. In conclusion, look-around HMDs are an economical alternative to optical-see-through HMDs, if unpredictable external events are kept to a minimum.

Keywords::

• consumer ergonomics
• user needs analysis
• human factors integration
• risk assessment and management
• vision and lighting

Acknowledgements

The support by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (01 IM 08 001 Z) is gratefully acknowledged. Furthermore, the authors thank Dr Huckauf and Mr Urbina from the Bauhaus-University of Weimar for their support.