Abstract
Wearable computers represent a new and exciting area for technology development, with a host of issues relating to display, power and processing still to be resolved. Wearable computers also present a new challenge to the field of ergonomics; not only is the technology distinct, but the manner in which the technology is to be used and the relationship between user and computer have changed in a dramatic fashion. In this paper, we concentrate on some traditional ergonomics concerns and examine how these issues can be addressed in the light of wearable computers.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
J.D. Abeysekera and H. Shahnavez, Ergonomics evaluation of modified industrial helmets for use in tropical environments, Ergonomics 31 (1988) 1317–1329.
B. Ambard and A. Carblanc, Role of foveal and peripheral visual information in the maintenance of postural equilibrium in man, Perceptual and Motor Skills 51 (1980) 903–912.
C. Baber, Beyond the Desktop: designing and using interaction devices (Academic Press, San Diego, 1997).
C. Baber and J.M. Noyes, Automatic speech recognition in adverse environments, Human Factors 3 (1996) 142–155.
C. Baber, D. Haniff, L. Cooper, J. Knight and B. Mellor, Preliminary investigations into the use of wearable computers, in: People and Computers XIII, eds. H. Johnson, L. Nigay and C. Roast (Springer-Verlag, Berlin, 1998) pp. 313–325.
L. Bass, C. Kasabach, R. Martin, D. Siewiork, A. Smailagic and J. Stivoric, The design of a wearable computer, in: CHI '97 (ACM, New York, 1997) pp. 139–146.
M.R. Endsley, Toward a theory of situation awareness, Human Factors 37 (1995) pp. 32–64.
C. Esposito, Wearable computers: field-test results and system design guidelines, in: Interact '97, eds. S. Howard, J. Hammond and G. Lindgaard (Chapman & Hall, London, 1997) pp. 493–500.
S. Feiner, B. MacIntyre and D. Seligmann, Knowledge-based augmented reality, Communications of the ACM 36 (1993) 53–62.
J.E. Graves, A.D. Martin, L.A. Miltenberger and M.L. Pollock, Physiological responses to walking with hand weights, wrist weights, and ankle weights, Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise 20 (1988) 265–71.
J.F. Miller and B.A. Stamford, Intensity and energy cost of weighted walking vs. running for men and women, J. Applied Physiology 62 (1987) 1497–1501.
Tactical display for soldiers, NRC (National Academy, Washington, DC, 1997).
C.A. Philips and J.S. Petrofsky, Neck muscle loading and fatigue: systematic variation of headgear weight and centre-of-gravity, Aviation, Space and Environmental Medicine 54 (1983) 901–905.
F.J. Seagull and D. Gofer, Expanding the envelop of performance: Training pilots to use helmet mounted displays, in: Proc. Human Factors and Ergonomics Society 38th Annual Meeting (Human Factors Society, Santa Monica, CA, 1994) pp. 11–15.
T. Starner, S. Mann, B. Rhodes, J. Levine, J. Healey, D. Kirsch, R.W.L. Picard and A. Pentland, Augmented reality through wearable computing, Technical Report No. 397, M.I.T. Media Laboratory Perceptual Computing Section, Cambridge, MA (1997).
C.D. Wickens, Engineering Psychology and Human Performance (Harper Collins, New York, 1992).
C.D. Wickens, Attentional issues in head-up displays, in: Engineering Psychology and Cognitive Ergonomics, Vol. I, ed. D. Harris (Ashgate, Aldershot, 1997) pp. 3–21.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Baber, C., Knight, J., Haniff, D. et al. Ergonomics of wearable computers. Mobile Networks and Applications 4, 15–21 (1999). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1019165908249
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1019165908249