A system for evaluating augmented reality user interfaces in wearable computers

Abstract

Usability tests with wearable computers are difficult to conduct due to the nature of wearable computers. Wearable computers are intended for personal use and the test supervisor does not know exactly what the test subject is currently seeing in augmented reality through the head-worn display of the wearable computer. Due to this personal nature, the concepts of traditional usability testing need some rethinking. This paper presents a combination of techniques that connects the computers of the test subject and the supervisor. Both of the computers share the same view of augmented reality and the supervisor knows exactly what the user is doing and what state the computer is in. All actions and sensor data are also recorded for later analysis. Complete usability tests have been made with this system and the system fulfilled its goals.