From catching Pokémon in the park to viewing a new IKEA chair in your living room, augmented reality (AR) often seems fun and low stakes. But what if wearable AR technology—such as safety glasses—could deliver warnings to roadway 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, U researcher Nichole Morris joined a team conducting a study to explore and improve advanced worker-centered safety systems. Using a setup that replicated the complete experience of an augmented-reality safety system, researchers tested its usability in both indoor and outdoor settings. The indoor tests gathered qualitative feedback on the system from Minnesota Department of Transportation workers, and the outdoor tests asked 30 maintenance workers to engage with the technology while completing a routine maintenance task.
Results from the tests were promising, with workers rating the system “above average” in usability, mental effort, and trust. Researchers also found a significant correlation between perceived trust and usability, 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 this project. Findings were published in an article in the International Journal of Occupational Safety and Ergonomics. The work was supported by a National Science Foundation grant.
—Megan Tsai, contributing writer
