Usability evaluation of an instructional application based on Google Glass for mobile phone disassembly tasks

Abstract This study aims at comparing a Google Glass-based instructional application with a printed manual in mobile phone disassembly tasks. Thirty participants (15 males and 15 females) were recruited to perform tasks via three types of instructional methods (Google Glass-based augmented reality, Google Glass-based video, and a printed manual). The objective measures of performance (task completion time, error counts), and the subjective measures (NASA-Task Load Index, system usability scale) were considered. Additionally, visual fatigue was assessed by critical flicker fusion frequency and near point accommodation. According to the findings, although the printed manual method produced better results regarding mental workload and system usability, the augmented reality method improved error reduction and efficiency. Furthermore, the participants indicated that the displayed animations were helpful in locating the exact work-pieces. The augmented reality method is believed to be a potential alternative to printed manuals in mobile disassembly tasks.