Microsoft Once Believed HoloLens Could Be Gaming’s Future, Now It’s A Military Product

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2015 marked the unveiling of HoloLens by Microsoft, which they described as a “mixed reality” headset. This device, with its wide-ranging potential in consumer markets and particularly video games, was said to have an astonishingly promising future for gaming. Early demonstrations left many amazed, while Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella went so far as to call HoloLens’s gaming capabilities “mind-blowing.” Xbox leader Phil Spencer also envisioned a bright future for this technology in the gaming world.

Despite not meeting Microsoft’s expectations and being terminated as a consumer product in 2024, HoloLens has found a new life. Now, it serves in a different capacity under the guidance of Palmer Luckey, the creator of Oculus, at his defense contractor company, Anduril Industries, where it is utilized for military purposes.

In a blog update, Microsoft announced that Anduril will now manage the manufacturing and innovation of HoloLens hardware and software, in line with their role in the ongoing Integrated Visual Augmentation System (IVAS) program. It’s important to note that this program is not fresh off the press; previously, the Army had committed $20 billion towards IVAS technology.

In honor of this news, Luckey reproduced the iconic (and quirky) Time Magazine cover from 2015, but this time with a military twist.

Anduril is assuming control over IVAS, and there’s no time for routine operations. But let me tell you, whatever ideas you might have about the scale of my ambitions, they’re nowhere near what I truly have planned. I’m back, and this is just the beginning.

— Palmer Luckey (@PalmerLuckey) February 11, 2025

Modern warfare has become more intricate than ever before, making the demand for “user-friendly, data-packed resources” all the more pressing.

Companies pointed out that conventional command systems, which primarily utilize static maps, unchanging displays, and oral communication, struggle to adapt to the fast-paced and ever-changing characteristics of contemporary battlefields.

The IVAS initiative is designed to enhance the capabilities of soldiers by providing them with a headset that combines Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) technologies. This equipment aims to improve their combat readiness and protect them from potential threats posed by drones, in addition to other objectives.

In this arrangement, Anduril intends to leverage Microsoft’s cloud and artificial intelligence capabilities as a fundamental foundation for their project. Specifically, Anduril plans to primarily utilize Microsoft Azure as their preferred high-scale cloud solution.

Anduril’s founder, Luckey, expressed his vision for the company as creating a military environment where technology enhances human abilities. IVAS and HoloLens could play significant roles in realizing this goal. By equipping soldiers with essential tools that facilitate quicker, more intelligent decision-making, we are shaping a future where technology and human creativity collaborate seamlessly to guarantee mission success.

As a gamer, I’ve been expressing my concerns about Microsoft’s extensive partnerships with the Department of Defense. In an open letter, some colleagues and I have voiced our disapproval, stating, “We didn’t join this tech giant to create weapons; we want a say in how our work contributes to its application.

CEO Satya Nadella previously defended his company’s involvement with the military.

Microsoft expressed gratitude for its collaboration with the U.S. Army, acknowledging their ongoing confidence in progressing Integrated Visual Augmentation System (IVAS) from rapid prototyping to rapid deployment. They are excited about further developing this productive relationship with the brave soldiers of the U.S. Army Close Combat Force.

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2025-02-12 18:10