Högskolan i Skövde

Traditional methods of data visualization and process monitoring are increasingly inadequate in fast-paced,data-intensive manufacturing environments. Extended Reality (XR) technologies, including Augmented Reality(AR), Virtual Reality (VR), and Mixed Reality (MR), have the potential to enhance human–machine inter-action and operational efficiency in Industry 4.0 framework. While previous research has demonstrated theeffectiveness of XR in areas such as assembly, training, maintenance, and human–robot interaction, limitedattention has been given to developing and evaluating XR systems for real-time machine data visualization.Most existing studies focus on demonstrating AR applications without rigorous comparative evaluations againstother XR technologies or traditional Human–Machine Interfaces (HMIs), often with limited user testing. Thisstudy addresses these gaps by developing and evaluating an XR application using Microsoft HoloLens 2 for real-time process control in a Learning Factory environment. A mixed-methods approach, including experimentaldesign, surveys, and time measurements, compared the XR system with conventional 2D HMIs. Data from22 participants were analyzed, focusing on alarm response times, usability, and preventive maintenance.The findings show that the XR system significantly improves alarm response times, increases frequencyof preventive refills, and enhances usability compared to traditional HMIs. However, challenges related toergonomics and limited field of view were noted. This study contributes to advancing smart manufacturing byshowcasing the potential of XR to improve human–machine interfaces and foster better interaction betweenmachines and operators.