User Experience of Augmented Reality System for Astronaut's Manual Work Support

Abstract

This paper introduces Augmented Reality (AR) system to support an astronaut's manual work, it has been developed in two phases. The first phase was developed in Europeans Space Agency's (ESA) project called "EdcAR-Augmented Reality for Assembly, Integration, Testing and Verification, and Operations" and the second phase was developed and evaluated within the Horizon 2020 project "WEKIT-Wearable Experience for Knowledge Intensive Training." The main aim is to create an AR based technological platform for high knowledge manual work support, in the aerospace industry with reasonable user experience. The AR system was designed for the Microsoft HoloLens mixed reality platform, and it was implemented based on a modular architecture. The purpose of the evaluation of the AR system is to prove that reasonable user experience of augmented reality can reduce performance errors while executing a procedure, increase memorability, and improve cost, and time efficiency of the training. The main purpose of the first phase evaluation was to observe and get feedback from the AR system, from user experience point-of-view for the future development. The use case was a filter change in International Space Station (ISS)-Columbus mock-up in the ESA's European Astronaut Centre (EAC). The test group of 14 subjects it included an experienced astronaut, EAC trainers, other EAC personnel, and a student group. The second phase the experiment consisted of an in-situ trial and evaluation process. The augmented reality system was tested at ALTEC facilities in Turin, Italy, where 39 participants were performing an actual real astronaut's procedure, the installation of Temporary Stowage Rack (TSR) on a physical mock-up of an ISS module. User experience evaluation was assessed using comprehensive questionnaires, and interviews, gathering an in-depth feedback on their experience with a platform. This focused on technology acceptance, system usability, smart glasses user satisfaction, user interaction satisfaction, and interviews, gathering an in-depth feedback on their experience with a platform. The analysis of the questionnaires and interviews showed that the scores obtained for user experience, usability, user satisfaction, and technology acceptance were near the desired average. Specifically, The System Usability Scale (SUS) score was 68 indicating that the system usability is already nearly acceptable in the augmented reality platform.

Review of Microsoft HoloLens Applications over the Past Five Years

“…Helin et al [68] developed an AR system to support the manual work of astronauts. The AR system was designed for the HoloLens MR platform and implemented based on a modular architecture.…”

Metrics development and modelling the mixed reality and digital twin adoption in the context of Industry 4.0

“…There was no strong relationship between PU and intention to use, and visual design did not influence PU. Helin et al (2018) investigated the adoption of AR-based technological platforms for high knowledge manual work support using scales to measure usability, user satisfaction and user interaction satisfaction. 39 experts and students participated in this research by completing the provided questionnaire and six of them then participated in the interview section as well.…”

Diminishing Reality: Potential Benefits and Risks

“…Cognitive aids are commonly used in the medical field, where practitioners use checklists to support memory, enhance recognition of emergencies, as well as structure or standardize actions and communication (Marshall, 2013). Cognitive aids have also been implemented in technology, such as Augmented Reality, to direct attention to warning symbols during a simulated International Space Station (ISS) related task (Helin, Kuula, Vizzi, Karjalainen, & Vovk, 2018). However, cognitive aids that direct selective attention do not necessarily help a user filter out unwanted distractions, especially in cognitively demanding situations or for those with attentional issues.…”