Assemble it like this! – Is AR- or VR-based training an effective alternative to video-based training in manual assembly?

AR- and VR-based training is increasingly being used in the industry to train workers safely and effectively for new tasks. In this study, we investigated and compared the effects of AR-, VR- and video-based training on short- and long-term objective performance measures and subjective evaluations in a manual assembly task. Our results showed that there was no difference between AR-, VR- and video-based training concerning the objective performance measures task completion time and error count. However, in the subjective evaluations VR-based training showed a significantly higher perceived task load and a lower usability rating than the AR- and video-based training regimes. An exploratory analysis additionally revealed partially better results for AR than for VR after adjusting the data for the age of the participants. Future research should further investigate the advantage of AR- and video-based methods over VR when the age and technology experience of participants are taken into account. •AR, VR and video training have been evaluated and compared in an assembly task.•Short-and long-term effects on training success have been measured.•AR, VR and video training did not differ regarding objective performance measures.•AR and video training outperformed VR training in terms of subjective evaluations.•Age-adjusted data uncovered partially better results for AR than for VR.