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Limited visibility from a mobile machine cab can decrease task performance and lead to accidents. Therefore, it is important to consider visibility issues already in the design phase. This paper describes the use of virtual prototyping in the evaluation of see-through features of mobile work machines. The goal is to evaluate whether two different machine boom transparency levels have an effect on task performance. In addition, two alternative placements of overlaid information in the operators' field of view are assessed. A within-subject design was used in this study. Based on the results, there was no significant difference in performance between the transparency levels. However, the test participants preferred a transparency level of 70-80% (where 0% is completely opaque). Similar results were found with the placement of the overlaid information, which had no significant effect on task performance. Both placements, on the windscreen and on the tunnel wall, were equally favoured by the participants. The findings of this study contribute to the design of see-through features for mobile work machines. In addition, the study demonstrates the use of virtual prototyping in the design of novel features in human-machine systems.

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Construction industry is currently facing challenges such as a high number of occupational injuries and a somewhat weak connection between design and construction phases. One way to amend the situation is to increase data availability to construction professionals. Information about the structure and features of the building to be built should be shared so that various professionals can use the so-called digital twin model of the building for his/her purposes. We have created a concept for delivering the building information model (BIM) that can be viewed in various ways from various devices. We tested the viewing and using of BIM in augmented reality (AR), with high-end eXtented Reality (XR) technology (Microsoft HoloLens 2) and a tablet. Briefly, according to our test results, AR seems to be good when user needs to be perceived him/herself as if inside the building model, and tablet suits for viewing the digital model from the outside of it. Novice users of the AR technology need much more support in using the technology than the experienced ones. All test participants found the concept good and the technology with which to use it as promising.