The US Army Receives Augmented Reality Microsoft HoloLens

VIVA – The United States (US) Army receives a shipment of war equipment, in the form of Augmented reality HoloLens from the technology giant, Microsoft. This deal was delayed because concerns the device might not function properly.

This purchase will be the first contract to approach nearly $22 billion or Rp327 trillion over 10 years.

According to the RT website on September 5, 2022, the Assistant Secretary of the Army for acquisitions, Douglas Bush approved receipt of the first batch of glasses under a March 2021 order for 5,000 sets worth US$373 million or around five trillion rupiahs.

In addition, Microsoft will also provide spare parts and support services. The glasses project a hologram over the field of vision of soldiers in combat and give troops more information about what they see, similar to the head display used by pilots.

These war glasses called the Integrated Visual Augmentation System or IVAS, also have night vision capabilities. The IVAS smart glasses developed from HoloLens provide a variety of functions and are claimed to make soldiers more effective in war.

As information, the Integrated Visual Augmentation System is a United States Army program to provide infantry with a mixed reality headset that provides a wide variety of capabilities to soldiers.

Furthermore, based on the initial test results, these glasses will not be used quickly on the battlefield and will focus on training activities first.

However, some employees from Microsoft protested the agreement between the company and the United States military. They said the deal could help to kill people.

The employees expressed their protest in an open letter to Microsoft executives and asked if the contract should be canceled.

In response to employee protests, the President of Microsoft, Brad Smith said people who defend their country should get support.