Influences of smart glasses on postural control under single- and dual-task conditions for ergonomic risk assessment

Head worn displays have become increasingly popular at workplaces in logistics and assembly lines in recent years. Such displays are expected to improve productivity and safety at the workplace. However, their impact on balance in the workforce is still an open research question. Therefore, we investigated the influence of the Vuzix M400 and Realwear HMT1 smart glasses on postural control. A laboratory study was conducted with eleven participants. Balance parameters were recorded during bilateral quiet stance, together with parameters of cognitive load. The two different smart glasses used in this study were compared with a monitor and a tablet under single-task conditions and while performing a spatial 2-back task. As balance parameters, the prediction ellipse and sample entropy in anteroposterior as well as mediolateral direction of the center-of-pressure data were examined. No significant differences were observed in the cognitive task performance between the devices. The prediction ellipse of the smart glasses was smaller than the tablets but larger than the smartboard. The dynamic of sample entropy data suggests that the use of the spatial 2-back task induces postural sway in the participants. This effect was most profound when looking at the monitor and least recognizable in the data of the tablet.