Usage of augmented reality glasses in automotive industry: Age-related effects on cognitive load

Abstract

With the development of technology, augmented reality (AR) devices were introduced in many areas. One of these devices, AR glasses, is more convenient and easy to fulfil and still continuing to evolve. The AR glasses, which are frequently used in sectors such as education, entertainment, construction and automotive, bring many research areas. In this article, the cognitive load that AR glasses bring to the users who is working on an assembly line has been investigated. Cognitive load refers to the resources used by working memory in the brain. This study was carried out with healthy participants in the assembly line of an automotive manufacturing factory and 60 tests were performed for measurement. Effect of the AR glasses for participants under 35 and over 35 years of age was measured by electroencephalography (EEG). EEG is a common objective technique used in cognitive load measurements. EEG data collected were examined and no significant difference was observed between participants of under and over 35 years of age. When compared with the data obtained in the experiments without glasses, it was seen that the use of the AR glasses in assembly lines of automotive manufacturing factories did not create an additional cognitive load. It can be seen from the article that AR glasses did not have an age-related effect and can be use in the automotive manufacturing industry.