A comparative evaluation of the wearable augmented reality-based data presentation interface and traditional methods for data entry tasks

Data entry is a ubiquitous task performed in today's offices. Persistent data entry is linked with high workload and fatigue due to poor ergonomic workplace design and poor posture. This study aims to alleviate data entry operators' workload and improve data entry performance by applying wearable augmented reality (AR) technology to data entry tasks. An AR-based interface was developed and used to present data to the participants, who entered the data in web-based data entry forms. A total of eighteen participants performed data entry tasks to evaluate the AR interface with traditional methods - extra desktop monitor and paper-based data presentation methods. Each method's performance was judged on the task completion time, typing error rate, workload, and usability. The usability and overall perceived workload while using an AR interface for data entry were similar to the traditional way of using paper, despite the additional burden due to the weight of the AR headset. AR interface did not perform better than the extra desktop monitor interface for usability and overall perceived workload. The results from this study can be utilized to design AR devices that are suited for data entry tasks.