Attention Tunneling

A phenomenon in which a user concentrates so narrowly on a primary information source - typically a visual overlay, head-up display, or instrument - that they fail to notice relevant events, objects, or hazards in their surrounding environment. In augmented and mixed reality, attention tunneling is frequently induced by holographic path indicators, arrows, or highlights that draw and hold the user's gaze. It is a particular concern for safety-critical applications such as first-responder tools, automotive HUDs, and navigation aids, and is cited as a reason to prefer audio or peripheral cues over always-on visual overlays when environmental awareness matters.