# Augmented Reality for PCB Component Identification and Localization
## 6 Discussion
Although no significant time differences were observed across the three viewing angles, this does not preclude the presence of increased cognitive effort, particularly at oblique angles, where component identification was more visually demanding. Participants may have adapted their strategies (e.g., leaning, eye focus adjustment) to maintain performance, which would not be reflected in raw task time. This highlights the need for future studies to incorporate complementary measures, such as eye-tracking, head movement analysis, or subjective cognitive load assessments (e.g., NASA-TLX), to more holistically evaluate effort and mental demand across spatial conditions [34]. Marker stability was a critical factor impacting AR accuracy and user trust, particularly in Experiment 2. Participants reported flickering, delays, and misalignment under oblique viewing conditions, aligning with recent findings on AR marker reliability in industrial settings [23, 27]. At 45\({}^{\circ}\), error distances from component boundaries increased for augmented positions, while indicated positions remained comparatively stable, suggesting reliance on contextual spatial cues to compensate for marker instability. This aligns with established cognitive compensation strategies observed in AR environments [28, 35]. Improvements in marker precision through adaptive rendering and enhanced tracking algorithms would strengthen AR reliability for complex tasks [27, 30]. Usability feedback revealed multiple ergonomic and interaction-related limitations. Half of the participants reported physical discomfort from the HoloLens(tm) 2 headset, particularly regarding weight and strap pressure. Visual issues included difficulty focusing, flickering overlays, and challenges for glasses wearers, especially at oblique angles. Such disorders have been recognized in ergonomic evaluations of head-mounted displays, where device weight and interface stability significantly influence prolonged usability [36, 37]. These concerns raise important implications for industrial settings where technicians may be required to wear AR headsets for extended periods. Although HoloLens(tm) 2 improves weight distribution over earlier models, several participants reported discomfort from forehead pressure, strap tension, and general fatigue after only brief use. These findings are consistent with established ergonomic design guidance, which emphasizes limiting head-mounted device weight to under 500g, ensuring balanced front-back load distribution, and avoiding continuous use beyond 30-60 min without breaks to prevent fatigue and neck strain [38, 39]. In real-world long-duration workflows, such physical discomfort may contribute to reduced concentration, increased cognitive load, or abandonment of AR-based support tools. These findings align with recent studies on head-mounted display ergonomics, which highlight the importance of minimizing neck torque, balancing device weight, and enhancing fit to ensure sustained comfort and performance [36, 39]. Future iterations of AR systems should prioritize lighter materials, modular strapping mechanisms, and improved ventilation to enable extended industrial usability. The user interface also posed challenges, particularly for first-time users, who struggled with precise interaction and navigation. Participants with prior AR experience adapted more quickly, while novice users emphasized the need for better onboarding and clearer interaction cues. Similar challenges have been reported in AR usability studies, where steep learning curves impact initial task performance [40]. Suggested improvements included larger, higher-contrast markers, interactive tutorials, and more intuitive interface designs. While the current study focused exclusively on component identification, we acknowledge that PCB assembly encompasses a broader range of tasks, including placement, soldering, and inspection. The findings reported here are most applicable to identification and visual referencing tasks, where spatial guidance is critical.