Evaluation of the instrumental uncertainty of Microsoft HoloLens 2 for hands-free distance measurements in Industry 5.0

In the context of Industry 5.0, where the human-centric paradigm stands as one of its fundamental pillars, there emerges a growing need for innovative measuring systems. In this regard, Extended Reality (XR) technologies represent a potentially significant solution. In particular, the sensors embedded in XR head-mounted displays (HMDs) may enable these devices to function not only as visualization tools but also as measuring instruments. However, it becomes essential to quantify the instrumental uncertainty associated with such devices. Based on these considerations, this work presents an evaluation of the instrumental uncertainty of the Microsoft HoloLens 2, one of the most prominent XR HMDs, with a view to its application for hands-free distance measurements. Experimental results, carried out using the optical system Vicon Vero as the measurement reference, demonstrate that HoloLens 2 can provide accurate distance results, with a measurement uncertainty below 0.12 %. The high accuracy and precision demonstrate the reliability of the system, supporting its use as a reliable measurement device.