Using Eye-Tracking to Evaluate Novel Augmented Reality Applications for Maritime Operations

This paper presents the developments across a multi-year collaborative industry-academia R&D project designing and testing novel Augmented Reality (AR) solutions for differing maritime operations and work tasks. We describe the step-wise approach taken in our Human Factors testing program exploring the effects of AR on maritime operators. This paper focuses specifically on our empirical simulator laboratory experiments using differing data collection designs, tools and operational scenarios to investigate operator Situation Awareness, cognitive workload, performance and usability. Moving from comparatively rudimentary measures using static scenarios, desktop data collections and post hoc video analysis to implementing eye-tracking and automated object identification in dynamic scenarios and full-mission simulated environments, we present an overview of how our testing program has evolved and lessons learned. Further, we discuss ongoing research and future plans to better understand the effects of AR on maritime end-users to implement human-centred solutions more effectively in maritime settings.