This paper presents the investigation of a head-mounted display as an innovative interface on the shop floor. The display used is voice controlled and designed to support operators of next-generation manufacturing systems in critical supervisory tasks. The connection of the display to a modern numerical control is explained from a technical point of view. A usability study is presented, which investigates the user's perspective according to 13 skilled operators. This study focuses on the highly critical task of 'approach'. The results indicate that the head-mounted display enables the operator to fulfil the control task without the necessity of conventional eye and head movements, which induce visual and motor strain. The majority of the participants are in favour of an innovative display technology as a component of future human-machine interfaces. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science B.V.
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