Short answer

When designing AR experiences, particularly for training, carefully consider the placement of critical information relative to the user's likely field of view, and be aware that narrower OFOV may require more deliberate user interaction to explore the virtual space.

Field: Human Factors
Source: Computers & Graphics (2021)
Method: Within-subjects experiment
Sample: 18 participants
Evidence: Moderate effect

Restricting the overlay field of view (OFOV) in optical see-through head-mounted displays (OST-HMDs) does not significantly impair spatial memorization, but it does influence user head movement and can interact with object proximity. This human factors research insight is drawn from a 2021 study published in Computers & Graphics. Using Within-subjects experiment with 18 participants, researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: When designing AR experiences, particularly for training, carefully consider the placement of critical information relative to the user's likely field of view, and be aware that narrower OFOV may require more deliberate user interaction to explore the virtual space.

Study

Human FactorsHigh ImpactModerate effect

Overlay Field of View in AR Headsets Impacts Spatial Memory and Head Movement

Computers & Graphics · 2021

Key Findings

01Smaller OFOV sizes did not significantly affect short-term or long-term spatial memory recall.
02Users exhibited less head rotation with a wider 110° OFOV compared to narrower OFOV sizes.
03Object proximity had an interaction effect with smaller OFOV sizes, suggesting that the spatial arrangement of virtual elements is important.

Application

Design takeaway

How to apply

When prototyping AR training modules, test different OFOV settings and observe how users navigate and interact with virtual objects. Conduct user studies that specifically assess spatial memory recall and head movement patterns.

Project actions

01When designing AR interfaces, think about where you place virtual elements. If your AR device has a small viewing area, put important things closer together or make sure users know they need to move their heads to see everything.
02Consider how your design encourages or discourages head movement. A wider view might lead to more natural exploration.

Method & Evidence

AimTo investigate whether a restricted overlay field of view (OFOV) in OST-HMDs negatively affects a user's ability to memorize spatial locations and transfer this memory to a real-world scenario.

MethodWithin-subjects experiment

ProcedureParticipants performed a spatial memorization task in a simulated work environment using an OST-HMD with three different OFOV sizes (30°, 70°, 110° diagonal). Short-term recall was tested immediately, and long-term memory transfer was assessed in an equivalent real-world scenario two days later. Head movement data was also collected.

Sample18 participants

ContextAugmented Reality (AR) training simulations and work environments.

Variables

IV["Overlay Field of View (OFOV) size (30°, 70°, 110° diagonal)"]

DV["Spatial memorization performance (short-term and long-term recall)","Head movement (rotation)"]

CV["Type of HMD used (simulated OST-HMD)","Training scenario environment","Time between training and recall tests","Participants' prior experience with AR (implicitly controlled by within-subjects design)"]

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

+Within-subjects design controls for individual differences.
+Tested both short-term and long-term memory transfer.
+Collected objective data on head movement.

Limitations

The experiment was conducted in a controlled setting. Real-world distractions and the complexity of actual work environments could alter results. The duration of memory retention was limited to two days.

Reliability & validity

The within-subjects design enhances internal validity by controlling for individual differences. The use of objective measures like recall tests and head tracking data contributes to reliability. However, the artificiality of the simulation and the limited sample size might affect external validity.

Think critically

If OFOV doesn't significantly affect memorization, why did users move their heads less with a wider OFOV? What does this suggest about user engagement or perceived effort?

Design Principles

"Optimize the spatial arrangement of augmented information to account for the limitations and user interaction patterns associated with the chosen display technology's field of view."

This research is crucial for designers developing augmented reality training or information systems. Understanding how OFOV affects user interaction and memory can inform decisions about hardware selection and the spatial arrangement of virtual information to optimize learning and task performance.

What This Means for Your Design

Even if you can still remember things with a small window in an AR headset, you might not look around as much, and how close things are to each other matters more.

How to use in your project

1.Reference this study when discussing the limitations of AR hardware and how it impacts user experience, particularly concerning spatial tasks and information recall.

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Quick Cite

Paragraph starter

Research indicates that while the overlay field of view (OFOV) in optical see-through head-mounted displays (OST-HMDs) may not significantly impair spatial memorization, it influences user head movement and can interact with the proximity of virtual objects. This suggests that designers must carefully consider the spatial arrangement of augmented information, particularly when using devices with limited OFOV, to ensure optimal user comprehension and task performance.

Source

Computers & Graphics

Does overlay field of view in head-mounted displays affect spatial memorization?

journal · 2021

View source

Questions About This Research

What does the research say about overlay field of view in ar headsets impacts spatial memory and head movement?: When designing AR experiences, particularly for training, carefully consider the placement of critical information relative to the user's likely field of view, and be aware that narrower OFOV may require more deliberate user interaction to explore the virtual space. Evidence: Computers & Graphics (2021).
Why does "Overlay Field of View in AR Headsets Impacts Spatial Memory and Head Movement" matter for design?: This research is crucial for designers developing augmented reality training or information systems. Understanding how OFOV affects user interaction and memory can inform decisions about hardware selection and the spatial arrangement of virtual information to optimize learning and task performance.
How can designers apply this research?: When designing AR experiences, particularly for training, carefully consider the placement of critical information relative to the user's likely field of view, and be aware that narrower OFOV may require more deliberate user interaction to explore the virtual space.
What were the main findings?: Smaller OFOV sizes did not significantly affect short-term or long-term spatial memory recall.. Users exhibited less head rotation with a wider 110° OFOV compared to narrower OFOV sizes.. Object proximity had an interaction effect with smaller OFOV sizes, suggesting that the spatial arrangement of virtual elements is important.
What research method was used?: Within-subjects experiment with 18 participants.
How strong is the evidence?: Evidence strength is rated Moderate effect, based on a 2021 journal from Computers & Graphics.
What should I do differently in my next project?: When prototyping AR training modules, test different OFOV settings and observe how users navigate and interact with virtual objects. Conduct user studies that specifically assess spatial memory recall and head movement patterns.
What are the limitations?: The study used a simulated environment, and the real-world transfer scenario might not perfectly replicate the complexity of all work environments. The sample size was relatively small.