In a significant development for Microsoft’s HoloLens project, the company is set to deliver an enhanced version of its Integrated Visual Augmentation System (IVAS) goggles to the US Army this month. This marks another chapter in the storied journey of the HoloLens initiative, which has faced delays and technical setbacks, causing some doubts about its viability. However, the upcoming release of the IVAS 1.2 devices promises to address previous practicality and visibility issues, bringing renewed hope to the project.
The US Army has confirmed that it is eagerly awaiting the shipment of HoloLens-based IVAS 1.2 goggles, scheduled to arrive by July 31, a remarkable three months ahead of the initial deadline. Following the delivery, three rounds of intensive soldier testing will be conducted to thoroughly inspect the alleged improvements made to the devices. The primary focus of these upgrades is to make the goggles slimmer, lighter, and more balanced than the previous iteration, which posed challenges to soldiers due to its bulkiness and weight, hindering their mobility and comfort.
Additionally, the previous prototypes emitted excessive light, raising concerns about their suitability for battlefield conditions. It remains to be seen whether Microsoft has successfully addressed this issue with the IVAS 1.2 version.
Microsoft’s venture into military contracts with the HoloLens project has been fraught with challenges. Internal skepticism within the company about the technology’s viability was evident in an internal memo from last year, where employees expressed concerns about soldier sentiment and the minimal reliability improvements across different versions.
The Office of the Inspector General (OIG) also audited the program and found that the IVAS program officials had not defined specific user criteria essential for the “Soldier Centered Design,” making it virtually impossible to create optimal solutions. The OIG even raised the alarm that the Pentagon might have wasted its money on the HoloLens project.
Initial testing of the first IVAS shipments by the Army led to disastrous results, with one tester remarking that the devices could have put soldiers’ lives at risk. Bulkiness, external lights, poor low-light performance, and subpar thermal imaging were among the main issues identified during this phase.
Despite these negative remarks, Microsoft maintained its confidence in the IVAS program, even as they had to lay off 10,000 employees involved in HoloLens, virtual reality, and mixed reality projects. The upcoming deployment of IVAS 1.2 will put Microsoft’s confidence to the test and determine the project’s future.
The success of the IVAS 1.2 shipment could be a game-changer for the Army, potentially allowing them to proceed with billions of dollars in suspended HoloLens orders and eventually deploy the technology fully by 2025.
Microsoft’s HoloLens project has seen its fair share of challenges and skepticism. However, the company’s determination to overcome technical disappointments and deliver an improved version of IVAS goggles to the US Army indicates a renewed commitment to the initiative. The upcoming intensive soldier testing will be crucial in assessing the effectiveness and practicality of the IVAS 1.2 devices, and the Army’s positive response could pave the way for significant advancements in military technology.
