New type desktop head-up display (HUD) can reduce visual fatigue and protect vision through long viewing distance. In this study, participants evaluated visual performance, fatigue, and discomfort of desktop HUD under two contrast polarity (N = 36) and five display luminance levels (N = 21). A positive polarity advantage was found over negative in visual fatigue and discomfort (p < .05). Statistically significant effect of luminance was found on visual performance, fatigue, and discomfort (p < .05). The calculated optimum display luminance by the proposed inverted-U fitted model was 153 cd/m2 under 300 lx, higher than that of traditional desktop displays. It is speculated that higher luminance is required to offset the reduction in contrast sensitivity due to smaller target angular size, which caused by longer viewing distance. These findings suggest that positive polarity and 153 cd/m2 can be used to improve performance and avoid fatigue and discomfort when utilising desktop HUD under 300 lx.
Keywords: Contrast polarity; display luminance; new type desktop HUD; visual ergonomics.
A visual ergonomic study was conducted on new type desktop HUD. With visual performance, fatigue, and discomfort as optimisation goals, positive polarity and 153 cd/m2 was recommended under 300 lx. Compared with traditional desktop displays, higher luminance was required in desktop HUD under the same illumination.