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Microsoft is in a new effort to test HoloLens-based combat goggles with the US military. The company confirmed to Engadget that it plans to deliver a modified IVAS (Integrated Visual Augmentation System) 1.2 device to the Army by the end of July. These updated augmented reality models are “sleeker, lighter and more balanced” than before, Microsoft said. As a result, they should be more comfortable and the soldiers perform better.
army To tell bloomberg The two squads will test 20 IVAS goggle prototypes in late August. They evaluate functionality in low light, reliability, and whether they make soldiers feel bad. Last year, some testers complained of nausea, headaches, and eye strain, while others were dissatisfied with the wide, narrow field of view and the glow of the display, which could reveal soldiers at night. Key features also failed relatively frequently.
HoloLens technology aims to improve awareness on the battlefield. Infantry can locate each other, get vital health stats, and use discreet night vision. They can better coordinate their attacks and warn of signs of injury or fatigue. If August’s trials are successful, the technology could be in production within a few years. The Army will sign a contract for a second field study sometime between July and September 2024, and could transition to operational combat testing as early as April 2025. The Army could deploy IVAS in the coming months.
However, a lot applies to this test. The Army could spend as much as $21.9 billion over 10 years developing up to 121,000 IVAS units, but Congress blocked an early goggle order in January after reports of the problem. Instead, politicians donated $40 million to Microsoft to rebuild the hardware. If there are still problems, the Army may cancel the program. That would not only get Microsoft a lucrative deal, but it would also raise more questions about HoloLens itself. The team lost lead developer Alex Kipman last year following allegations of cheating, and layoffs earlier this year have dealt a serious blow to the mixed reality division.