New Workers or New Tasks: How Do Augmented Reality, Experience, and Task Switching Affect Worker Performance in Naval Maintenance Operations

OCCUPATIONAL APPLICATIONThis study found that using head-mounted optical see-through augmented reality (AR) guidance in maintenance tasks led to faster completion times, especially for less experienced workers and when workers had to switch between different types of tasks. AR also made these tasks feel easier for those with less experience. For ergonomics and human factors practitioners, these results suggest that AR can be a valuable tool for improving onboarding and performance in environments where workers are new or frequently face varied tasks. Implementing AR guidance can help reduce learning curves and support more efficient work, particularly in settings with high complexity and employee turnover. However, if workers are expected to perform tasks independently without ongoing AR support, traditional, more thorough training methods may still be necessary. Practitioners should consider the nature of the work and the use of AR technology when designing onboarding and training programs to maximize both efficiency and long-term competence.