2005 Volume 10 Issue 3 Pages 333-342
The Wearable Active Camera/Laser (WACL) is a new collaboration tool that allows remote experts not only to independently set their viewpoints into the workplace of fieldworkers wearing the WACL but also to point to real objects directly with the laser spot. In this paper, we introduce the WACL and the functions such as the camera/laser head stabilization, and describe a user study to examine the advantages and limitations of the WACL interface in remote collaboration by comparing a head-mounted display and a head-mounted camera based headset interface. Results show that the WACL is more comfortable to wear, is more eye-friendly, and causes less fatigue to the wearer, although there is no significant difference in task completion time. In communication analysis, Experts talked more to workers wearing the WACL when detailed instructions were needed and experts talked more to workers wearing the headset when view changes were required. Finally we clarify improving the WACL so as to redress the communication asymmetries by enhancing the visual assistance.
