Effects of AR HMD Design Elements on Workers’ Postural Stability During a Dual-Task Condition

Augmented Reality Head-Mounted Displays (AR HMDs) enable hands-free operation and real-time information access, making them popular in industrial settings. However, the effects of individual AR HMD design elements on postural stability—critical for workplace safety—are not well understood. This study investigated how device weight, visor tint, and usage duration affect postural stability during quiet standing. Sixteen participants completed a dual-task: a 2-back memory task and a 15-minute quiet standing task under four conditions—tablet only, tablet with visor-up HMD, tablet with visor-down HMD, and AR HMD. Postural sway was measured using six center of pressure metrics. Two-way ANOVA showed significant main effects of time and task condition. Sway increased in the visor-up condition versus tablet-only, and further increased in the visor-down condition. Results indicate that added head weight and reduced visual clarity impair stability. Improving AR HMD ergonomics, such as reducing weight and increasing visor transparency, may enhance user safety.