Text Input Performance with a Mixed Reality Head-Mounted Display (HMD)

Abstract

Past research has shown that text input methods must be quick, efficient, and involve little to no learning in order for them to be accepted in a consumer market. The Microsoft HoloLens is a mixed reality head-mounted display (HMD) that requires gestures or a physical clicker for interaction, including text entry. In this study, we investigated performance, perceived usability, and workload of these text input methods. Participants were able to type only 5.41WPM with the gesture method, gave it a poor usability score. The clicker method resulted in a WPM rate of 6.58, was given an “OK” usability score, and lower perceived exertion scores in the bicep and index finger. This study demonstrates the need for further research to develop more optimal text entry methods for MR environments.