On the suitability of current augmented reality head-mounted devices

Abstract

Simulation is a recognized and much-appreciated tool in healthcare and education. Advances in simulation have led to the burgeoning of various technologies. In recent years, one such technological advancement has been Augmented Reality (AR). Augmented Reality simulations have been implemented in healthcare on various fronts with the help of a plethora of devices including cellphones, tablets, and wearable AR headsets. AR headsets offer the most immersive experience of the AR simulation as they are head-mounted and offer a stereoscopic view of the superimposed 3D models through the attached goggles overlaid on real-world surfaces. To this effect, it is important to understand the performance capabilities of the AR headsets based on workload. In this paper, our objective is to compare the performances of two prominent AR headsets of today, the Microsoft Hololens and the Magic Leap One. We use surgical AR software that allows the surgeons to show internal structures, such as the rib cage, to assist in the surgery as a reference application to obtain performance numbers for those AR devices. Based on our research, there are no performance measurements and recommendations available for these types of devices in general yet.