Microsoft’s Partnership with Anduril to Enhance HoloLens for the US Army

Microsoft’s six-year-old program to develop combat goggles for the US Army, codenamed HoloLens, is poised for improvement. If the Department of Defense approves the deal, the company will partner with Anduril Industries, a defense technology firm co-founded by Palmer Luckey, to advance the Integrated Visual Augmentation System (IVAS) program.

Expanded Partnership and AI Integration

Microsoft will supply the AI and cloud infrastructure, while Anduril will handle oversight of production, hardware and software development, and delivery timelines. Anduril, known for its defense technology, including drone interceptors, sentry towers, and underwater drones, has developed a range of innovative defense solutions.

History of HoloLens Program

Microsoft first collaborated with the Army in 2019, using a modified HoloLens 2 headset for early prototypes. The headsets allowed soldiers to see virtual maps, compasses, and weapon reticles, as well as thermal imaging for night vision. However, the program encountered issues with nausea, eyestrain, and headaches due to the headsets’ bulk, limited field of view, and emitted glow.

congressional Review and Funding

Congress initially denied the Army’s request to purchase 6,900 HoloLens headsets due to concerns over their effectiveness. Despite this, Microsoft received $40 million to develop a new version, which the Army accepted in 2023. However, the headset has yet to see deployment on the battlefield.

Feedback and Future Development

Bloomberg reports that early feedback of the latest IVAS prototypes is encouraging, with the Army seeking to reduce the cost of each headset from $80,000 to "substantially less." The Army plans to order up to 121,000 devices, but the new version must pass a high-stress combat test before production begins. Anduril has partnered with OpenAI to integrate AI technology into its drone defense systems for the military.

Key Points

• Microsoft and Anduril to partner on HoloLens development for the US Army
• Microsoft to provide AI and cloud infrastructure, while Anduril handles production, software, and delivery
• Anduril has developed a range of defense technologies, including drone interceptors and underwater drones
• HoloLens program faced issues with nausea, eyestrain, and headaches due to the headsets’ design
• Congress denied initial Army request, but Microsoft received funding to develop a new version
• Latest prototypes show encouraging results, but cost reduction and combat testing remain challenges