Smart glasses

Photomontage: Woman with construction helmet and smart glasses looks at industrial robot, context information from the data glasses is superimposed

Use of smart glasses as assistance systems in industry
 Source: zapp2photo - stock.adobe.com

What are smart glasses?

Smart glasses project information directly into the wearer's field of vision, and have the functionality of a smartphone. They are effectively head-mounted micro-computers, and have particular advantages over other mobile devices with similar functionality that are typically used as work tools. Unlike smartphones or tablet PCs, they do not have to be held during use, and they can deliver information to the wearer without the latter having to take their eyes off the work.

Industrial areas of application of smart glasses

Three main application scenarios currently exist for the use of smart glasses as work equipment:


  • Pick by vision
    Photomontage: Head with data glasses looks into a large warehouse; information on the next picks is superimposed.

    Visually guided order picking task (pick by vision)
    Source: Monopoly919 – stock.adobe.com

    In intralogistics, relevant information such as storage location, product details and route guidance through the warehouse is displayed by smart glasses in workers' field of vision during order picking (pick by vision).


  • Support in assembly tasks
    View into a car engine with superimposed

    Guidance in complex work processes (support in assembly tasks)
     Source: zapp2photo - stock.adobe.com

    Smart glasses serve as an information system in assembly and manufacturing, displaying context-based information on the current work step to the wearer.


  • Remote expert

    Employees can use the streaming function to request support from remote experts and perform specialist work steps under their guidance.

Issues for preventive activity: safe and healthy work with smart glasses

Smart glasses enable workers in certain areas of activity to access relevant information easily whilst at the same time keeping their hands free for other tasks. This reduces the time required to perform certain tasks and increases efficiency compared to work with conventional information systems. At the same time however, smart glasses may present new hazards to workers, which employers must identify and reduce by way of a risk assessment.

From an occupational safety and health perspective, the main aspects to be considered during assessment of jobs involving the use of smart glasses include:

  • A possible increase in sensory strain upon the eyes
  • Effects on the musculoskeletal system caused by changes in work processes
  • Effects of electromagnetic fields
  • Rising informational and visual overload
  • Mental stress caused by intensification of work and skills shifts
  • Mutual influence of the working environment, other work equipment and personal protective equipment (PPE)

Research projects conducted by the IFA on the topic of smart glasses

Smart glasses are a relatively new phenomenon in the world of work, and only limited scientific research on the topic has therefore been conducted to date. Together with accident insurance institutions and external partner organizations, the IFA is conducting joint research projects which have the purpose of obtaining and publishing relevant and up-to-date findings on safe and healthy work involving smart glasses:

  • Use of smart glasses as an assistance system on forklift trucks

    Together with the German Social Accident Insurance Institution for the trade and distribution industry (BGHW), the IFA investigated how the use of smart glasses as an assistance system on forklift trucks affects drivers' cognitive load. Detailed information and project results can be found in:

    Gross, B.; Bretschneider-Hagemes, M.; Stefan, A.; Rissler, J.: Monitors vs. Smart Glasses: A Study on Cognitive Workload of Digital Information Systems on Forklift Trucks (payable PDF for download). In: Digital Human Modeling. Applications in Health, Safety, Ergonomics, and Risk Management. Proceedings. 9th International Conference, DHM 2018, S. 569-578. Held as Part of HCI International 2018, Las Vegas, NV, USA, July 15-20, 2018

  • Effects of smart glasses on occupational safety and health

    In the research study launched by the German Social Accident Insurance Institution for trade and industry into the impacts of smart glasses on occupational safety and health, universities, the IFA and partner organizations in industry are conducting field and laboratory studies into various aspects of the use of smart glasses in retail, logistics and assembly jobs. The aim of the research project is to develop recommendations for action for the preparation of risk assessments. The project is examining the topics of acceptance, eye strain, effects upon the musculoskeletal system, radiation exposure, cognitive load and efficiency. Further information and interim results of the ongoing research project can be obtained from the Intralogistics and trade Subcommittee (in German only) or in the following publication:

    Friemert, D.; Terschüren, C.; Gross, B.; Herold, R.; Leuthner, N.; Braun, C.; Hartmann, U.; Harth, V.: What Is the State of Smart Glass Research from an OSH Viewpoint? In: Digital Human Modeling. Applications in Health, Safety, Ergonomics, and Risk Management. Posture, Motion and Health 11th International Conference, DHM 2020, S. 346-364. Held as Part of the 22nd HCI International Conference, HCII 2020, Copenhagen, Denmark, July 19-24, 2020, Proceedings, Part II

  • Use of smart glasses with consideration for occupational safety and health

    For the DGUV's Fachbereich AKTUELL publication concerning the use of smart glasses with consideration for occupational safety and health, FAQs and checklists, the DGUV's Woodworking and metalworking Expert committee is working with the IFA, accident insurance institutions and industry experts to compile OSH-related information and findings from human factors research relating to smart glasses. The aim of the document is to produce a checklist supporting employers in their planning of workplaces involving smart glasses and preparation of risk assessments for relevant areas of activity. Publication is anticipated in the near future. Further information on the topic can be obtained from the Woodworking and metalworking Expert committee (in German only).

Further information

Friemert, D.; Ellegast, R.P.; Hartmann, U.: Data Glasses for Picking Workplaces: Impact on Physical Workloads (payable PDF for download). In: HCI in Business, Government, and Organizations: Information Systems, pp. 281-289. Ed: Springer International, ISBN: 978-3-319-39398-8 (Print), 978-3-319-39399-5 (Online)

Gross, B.; Bretschneider-Hagemes, M.; Stefan, A.; Rissler, J.: Monitors vs. Smart Glasses: A Study on Cognitive Workload of Digital Information Systems on Forklift Trucks (payable PDF for download). In: Digital Human Modeling. Applications in Health, Safety, Ergonomics, and Risk Management. Proceedings. 9th International Conference, DHM 2018, S. 569-578.

Friemert, D.; Terschüren, C.; Gross, B.; Herold, R.; Leuthner, N.; Braun, C.; Hartmann, U.; Harth, V.: What Is the State of Smart Glass Research from an OSH Viewpoint? In: Digital Human Modeling. Applications in Health, Safety, Ergonomics, and Risk Management. Posture, Motion and Health 11th International Conference, DHM 2020, S. 346-364. Proceedings, Part II

Contact

Dr Christoph Schiefer

Work Systems of the Future

Tel: +49 30 13001-3040
Fax: +49 30 13001-38001