Overview
ISO/TR 9241-380:2022 - "Ergonomics of human‑system interaction - Part 380" is a Technical Report that surveys head‑mounted display (HMD) characteristics relevant to human–system interaction. It compiles findings about the ergonomic and visual properties of HMDs (VR, AR, MR) and other physical factors (weight, alignment, posture) that affect users. The document is informational rather than normative and is intended to inform suppliers, designers, researchers and to serve as a basis for future standards related to HMD ergonomics.
Keywords: ISO/TR 9241-380, HMD ergonomics, head‑mounted displays, human‑system interaction, VR, AR, MR
Key topics covered
- HMD categories and architectures
- Types by virtual image (VR, AR, MR)
- Image formation (imaging displays, scanning, light‑field, holographic/waveguide)
- Ocular configuration (binocular, biocular, monocular)
- Physical form factors (eyeglasses, goggles, helmet, smartphone with optics)
- System configuration (wired, wireless/standalone, smartphone‑based)
- Optical characteristics and image quality
- Inter‑pupillary distance considerations and eye‑to‑optics geometry
- Distortion, aberration and inter‑ocular optical property issues
- AR/MR and video‑see‑through specific optical properties, and light‑field considerations
- System performance characteristics
- Latency/time delay and its effect on interaction
- Degrees of freedom (6DoF/3DoF) and tracking implications
- Physical and human factors
- Weight, balance, alignment, fit and their ergonomics impacts
- User conditions: age, habituation, duration, posture, and preference
- Presence, immersion and measures of user experience
- Visual health and motion sickness
- Visual induced motion sickness (VIMS), related factors and reference to SSQ (Simulator Sickness Questionnaire)
- Visual fatigue and discomfort (informative annex)
Practical applications - who uses it and why
- HMD designers and manufacturers - to identify ergonomic characteristics that influence optical design, fit and system latency trade‑offs.
- UX/interaction designers and ergonomists - to evaluate usability, comfort, accommodation and presence in VR/AR/MR systems.
- Safety engineers and procurement teams - to assess suitability of HMDs for training, industrial maintenance, medical simulation and consumer applications.
- Researchers and standards developers - as a consolidated survey to inform future measurement methods and normative standards.
Practical value: improves design decisions (optics, weight, tracking), informs user testing protocols, and helps anticipate VIMS/visual fatigue risks.
Related standards
- Other parts of the ISO 9241 series (human‑system interaction fundamentals)
- ISO 9241‑303 and ISO 305 (earlier HMD/virtual display references)
- IEC eyewear display guidance (e.g., IEC TR 63145 family) - complementary optical and measurement methods
Note: ISO/TR 9241‑380 is an informative technical report providing survey results and considerations rather than prescriptive requirements.