Comparing order picking assisted by head-up display versus pick-by-light with explicit pick confirmation

Manual order picking is an important part of distribution. Many techniques have been proposed to improve pick efficiency and accuracy. Previous studies compared pick-by-HUD (Head-Up Display) with pick-by-light but without the explicit pick confirmation that is typical in industrial environments. We compare a pick-by-light system designed to emulate deployed systems with a pick-by-HUD system using Google Glass. The pick-by-light system tested 50% slower than pick-by-HUD and required a higher workload. The number of errors committed and picker preference showed no statistically significant difference.