Cognitive Cost of Using Augmented Reality Displays.

Area of Science:

• Human-Computer Interaction
• Cognitive Psychology
• Augmented Reality Technology

Background:

• Augmented reality (AR) systems offer immersive experiences but can impose cognitive burdens.
• Understanding the cognitive load associated with different AR display technologies is crucial for effective design.
• Head-mounted displays (HMDs) present unique challenges related to field of view and user interaction.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the cognitive load imposed by three distinct augmented reality display technologies: spatial augmented reality (SAR), optical see-through (OST) Microsoft HoloLens, and video see-through (VST) Samsung Gear VR.
• To investigate the specific cognitive load associated with receiving instructions for a procedural task within these AR environments.
• To evaluate the impact of display technology and field of view limitations on user performance and cognitive effort.

Main Methods:

• Two experiments were conducted using a button-pressing procedural task.
• Cognitive load was assessed using both self-assessment and dual-task methodologies.
• Performance metrics and subjective cognitive load ratings were collected for each AR display condition.

Main Results:

• Spatial augmented reality (SAR) resulted in significantly higher task performance and lower cognitive load compared to both HoloLens and Gear VR.
• A limited field of view, characteristic of some HMDs, was found to directly correlate with increased cognitive load.
• Users experienced greater cognitive burden when interacting with optical see-through and video see-through HMDs.

Conclusions:

• Spatial augmented reality (SAR) appears to be a more cognitively efficient display technology for instructional tasks than current head-mounted displays.
• Design limitations of head-mounted displays, particularly restricted field of view, contribute to increased user cognitive load.
• Future AR system development should prioritize wider fields of view and explore SAR principles to minimize cognitive burden and enhance user performance.