Task Guidance in Laser Alignment Experiments using Video See-Through Head-Mounted Display

This paper introduces a mixed reality (MR) remote avatar guidance system to supporte laser alignment experiments. Replacing conventional laser safety glasses, a video see-through head-mounted display (VST-HMD) shields users from hazardous radiation. Nevertheless, the impact on work performance and user experience when using a standalone VST system for laser alignment has not been fully explored. In this paper, we studied the effects of the MR guidance system in instructing users in laser alignment through a between-subject user study. Our results reveal that the developed MR guidance significantly enhances user experience, the alignment system usability, and reduces the need for human intervention compared to direct guidance from a human instructor. Despite a diminished level of social presence, users displayed a preference for avatar guidance using a VST-HMD.