We investigate how reading text in augmented reality (AR) glasses and the simultaneous execution of three real-world tasks interfere with each other. The three tasks are a visual stimulus-response task (VSRT), a simple walking task and a walking obstacle course. Also, we investigate the effects of different AR text positions on primary task and reading performance as well as subjective preference. We propose a novel out of sight body-locked text placement for AR text presentation to be used in dual-task situations and compare it to head-locked text placement, each in two heights. AR reading affected performance in all tasks and reading speed was affected in all dual-task conditions. Participants subjectively preferred the body-locked text presentation, while objective measures do not reflect that preference. Differences between the tasks and several interaction effects between task and AR text placement demonstrate the necessity to carefully consider the context of use when designing AR reading UIs. The presented study with 12 participants provides insights into the effects of AR glasses usage in dual-task situations and several design recommendations are derived from the results.

We present a scenario-based laboratory study with 40 participants comparing two augmented reality (AR) glasses in a travelling scenario. In a within-subject design, the binocular Epson Moverio BT-200 and the monocular Vuzix M100 were compared with regard to performance, acceptance, workload and preference. While performance was equal with both glasses, the Epson Moverio BT-200 glasses got higher acceptance and lower workload ratings and were preferred by the majority of the participants. The findings provide knowledge on human factors in AR glasses usage.

Touch surfaces with no surface deformations delineating the individual function fields open up new design possibilities in the car interior. However, a haptic feedback signal similar to a mechanical button appears to be necessary for orientation and input acknowledgment. This has been put into practice in a new product by Continental, using active haptics in the form of an electromechanical concept. This article describes the review of this new product's added value, and refutes potential disadvantages regarding its fitness for use compared with traditional solutions. The subjective perception of the active haptic feedback signal is also described. Three different empirical investigations, each with 20 test subjects, were carried out. Our results show that there is significant added value regarding the attractiveness of the new product. The absence of any shortcomings regarding its fitness for use compared with traditional solutions could not be proved conclusively. Nevertheless, interesting connections between the subjective perception of the haptic feedback signal and its intensity were observed.

Augmented reality (AR) for assembly processes is a new kind of computer support for a traditional industrial domain. This new application of AR technology is called ARsembly. The intention of this article is to describe a typical scenario for assembly and service personnel and how they might be supported by AR. For this purpose, tasks with different degrees of difficulty were selected from an authentic assembly process. In addition, 2 other kinds of assembly support media (a paper manual and a tutorial by an expert) were examined in order to compare them with ARsembly. The results showed that the assembly times varied according to the different support conditions. AR support proved to be more suitable for difficult tasks than the paper manual, whereas for easier tasks the use of a paper manual did not differ significantly from AR support. Tasks done under the guidance of an expert were completed most rapidly. Some of the information obtained in this investigation also indicated important considerations for improving future ARsembly applications.

Computer supported collaborative work (CSCW) allows people to cooperate by computers from different places and at different times. To enable an easier integration of such collaborative components into web-based communities and portals, a Shared Workspace Open Framework (SWOF) was developed. This framework provides the basic features of shared workspaces and can be customized to different cooperation cases. High usability is an important aspect of the implementation. To achieve these aims SWOF focuses on an information space with more task-suited item-types that can help to pre-structure the information. Thus, on the one hand the system can help the users to write down the needed information in a consistent way and, on the other, could reduce the arguments between the group members on how to structure their workspace. As a use case for SWOF the development of a Web-based portal for the community of man-machine interaction was chosen. In the project MMI-Interaktiv, a portal is built with a SWOF-based shared workspace component. An evaluation for this use case is presented.