Whether it’s catching Pokémon in the park or seeing a new IKEA chair in your living room, augmented reality (AR) often seems like fun and low-risk. But what if wearable AR technology, like safety glasses, could warn road workers when they’re in danger? It’s an exciting possibility that hinges on one key question: Would this type of system meet the needs of workers?
To find answers, University of Minnesota researcher Nichole Morris joined a team conducting a study to explore and improve advanced worker-centric safety systems. Using a setup that replicates the full experience of an augmented reality safety system, the researchers tested its usability in both indoor and outdoor environments. The indoor tests collected qualitative feedback on the system from workers at the Minnesota Department of Transportation, and the outdoor tests asked 30 maintenance workers to interact with the technology while performing a routine maintenance task.
The test results were promising, with employees rating the system as “above average” in terms of ease of use, mental effort, and trust. The researchers also found a significant correlation between perceived trust and ease of use, highlighting the importance of trust in the user experience.
Morris teamed up with researchers from UNC Charlotte’s William States Lee College of Engineering, Sepehr Sabeti and Omidreza Shoghli, for the project. The results were published in a paper in International Journal of Occupational Safety and Ergonomics. The work was supported by a grant from the National Science Foundation.
Reprinted from CTS News, June 21, 2024
—Megan Tsai, Contributing Editor
