Microsoft’s AR glasses are not unanimous in the US army!
The technology via Microsoft’s AR glasses does not meet with great success with US army testers.
For approximately ten billion dollars, Microsoft has signed service contracts with the American government for the benefit of the American army. The contracts allow the tech giant to deploy its augmented reality technology through AR glasses within the armed forces. Their role is to provide soldiers with real-time information on navigation and instructions via a head-up display. In addition to this, thermal and night vision are also integrated into this system.
Called Hololens, these augmented reality glasses have been tested, the results of which are recorded in a report. Said report was viewed by Bloomberg and Insider. These media relayed what is said about this technology. If the report highlights the shortcomings, an army spokesperson in the person of Brigadier General Christopher D. Schneider wanted to be reassuring that things are progressing rather well. For insider, he said the following: “Emerging results indicate the program was successful in most Army evaluation criteria“.
The superior officer all the same evoked without giving details, shortcomings. “However, the results also identified areas where the IVAS fell short and requires further improvements, which the military will address.“.
What deficiency is this?
In the report, it is visible that a soldier claims that the glasses cause physical impairment in the wearer. This deficiency reduces the wearer’s ability to carry out the mission. This is quite normal since the army is a professional body which requires the contribution of the mental and physical capacities of the soldier. If these Hololens endanger the soldier’s basic abilities, there is a problem.
To prove it, the testers used pretty strong words to show the impact of AR glasses on their health. According to the published excerpts, Microsoft’s technological innovation causes headaches, nausea, and eye strain in the wearer.
The part that interested Bloomberg is the statement of a soldier who claims that these helmets “do not contribute to their ability to carry out their mission“. This is an admission of non-adoption of technology by soldiers.
Still to convince of the shortcomings of Microsoft’s solution, Insider published a poignant testimony from another soldier. He believes that “The devices would have killed us“. To justify himself, the defender of the fatherland underlined the fact that the glasses have lights that are very easily spotted by the enemy. In night combat where camouflage is required, the equipment will provide information very quickly on the position of the wearer. He becomes an easy target.
With this report, Microsoft still has a long way to go for its product to be accepted by the first beneficiaries.
