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> Absurdity. $180k per headset delivered? The Army didn’t ask for a ruggedized Hololens, they asked for[1] a globally capable end-to-end real-time augmented re

> Absurdity. $180k per headset delivered? The Army didn’t ask for a ruggedized Hololens, they asked for[1] a globally capable end-to-end real-time augmented reality solution for waging war. 1. https://www.peosoldier.army.mil/Program-Offices/Project-Manager-Integrated-Visual-Augmentation-System/ https://www.peosoldier.army.mil/Program-Offices/Project-Mana...

ganoushoreilly 4y ago
I would argue it's the natural ruggedization of the existing tech (hololens platform). Integration with NV/Thermal and other tech is part of the scope so it only make sense. They had Gen 1 hololens prototypes in use for a while, just like 15 years or so ago they were using xbox 360 wired controllers to control unmanned assets. Eventually in field testing they'll break down or be damaged enough that they have to elevate the durability just for basic testing. Looking at the kit it's clear it's not some crazy deviation. Hell just a modern NV/Thermal capable helmet and optics can be 70-100k worth of equipment without hololens, and look just as bulky.
- culturestate 4y ago
  > I would argue it's the natural ruggedization of the existing tech (hololens platform) … Looking at the kit it's clear it's not some crazy deviation. The contract is not just for headsets - it’s also for the backend infrastructure that allows them to function. Microsoft is not getting $21B to add gaskets and swap ABS out for PA6 Nylon. I’m not super familiar with the broader Hololens platform as it exists today but I can’t imagine that much of it would be widely useful for e.g. a Marine on the ground in Baghdad to task an F-35 pilot with close air support by looking at a 3D map of the building he’s standing in front of.
  - ganoushoreilly 4y ago
    oh of course it's a "platform" and the headsets are but one part of it One use case I can talk about that i've seen tested is nano drones and live data feeds from them. That would be valuable in varying types of combat situation. Additionally, i'm not sure what your relationship to "boots on the ground" is but many of infantry / frontlines are armed with electronic devices that fill all the same goals, this is just a means to put them in the field of vision and provide easier access. It's going to take time and a "killer" no pun intended, app for them to be eat'n up by the average joe though.
    - deleted 4y ago
      [deleted]
    - culturestate 4y ago
      > many of infantry / frontlines are armed with electronic devices that fill all the same goals, this is just a means to put them in the field of vision and provide easier access The word “just” is doing some very heavy lifting in this sentence.
      - ganoushoreilly 4y ago
        In what way? Not sure i'm following? I didn't say A just way, It's just a way.
        culturestate 4y ago
        In the same way that an F-150 Lightning is "just" an F-150 with electric motors instead of an ICE.
        ganoushoreilly 4y ago
        I mean, it is. It's a more modern, more technologically advanced truck, sure a lot of it has changed, but they are using the basis of the F150 technology and have imparted that dna into the new vehicle. It looks like an F150. So i'm still confused what your point is. An iPhone is still a Phone, a smart one with all sorts of features but that doesn't remove the fact that you can call it a phone and it's 100% correct. I think we're playing a game of semantics now so i'm not sure what else to say other than we'll agree to disagree.
      - numpad0 4y ago
        I think this just is just just, if this is just to turn a phone(not hyper magical AR device) into hands-free goggles form for easier use, it does that.

ganoushoreilly 4y ago

I would argue it's the natural ruggedization of the existing tech (hololens platform). Integration with NV/Thermal and other tech is part of the scope so it only make sense. They had Gen 1 hololens prototypes in use for a while, just like 15 years or so ago they were using xbox 360 wired controllers to control unmanned assets. Eventually in field testing they'll break down or be damaged enough that they have to elevate the durability just for basic testing. Looking at the kit it's clear it's not some crazy deviation. Hell just a modern NV/Thermal capable helmet and optics can be 70-100k worth of equipment without hololens, and look just as bulky.

culturestate 4y ago
> I would argue it's the natural ruggedization of the existing tech (hololens platform) … Looking at the kit it's clear it's not some crazy deviation. The contract is not just for headsets - it’s also for the backend infrastructure that allows them to function. Microsoft is not getting $21B to add gaskets and swap ABS out for PA6 Nylon. I’m not super familiar with the broader Hololens platform as it exists today but I can’t imagine that much of it would be widely useful for e.g. a Marine on the ground in Baghdad to task an F-35 pilot with close air support by looking at a 3D map of the building he’s standing in front of.
- ganoushoreilly 4y ago
  oh of course it's a "platform" and the headsets are but one part of it One use case I can talk about that i've seen tested is nano drones and live data feeds from them. That would be valuable in varying types of combat situation. Additionally, i'm not sure what your relationship to "boots on the ground" is but many of infantry / frontlines are armed with electronic devices that fill all the same goals, this is just a means to put them in the field of vision and provide easier access. It's going to take time and a "killer" no pun intended, app for them to be eat'n up by the average joe though.
  - deleted 4y ago
    [deleted]
  - culturestate 4y ago
    > many of infantry / frontlines are armed with electronic devices that fill all the same goals, this is just a means to put them in the field of vision and provide easier access The word “just” is doing some very heavy lifting in this sentence.
    - ganoushoreilly 4y ago
      In what way? Not sure i'm following? I didn't say A just way, It's just a way.
      - culturestate 4y ago
        In the same way that an F-150 Lightning is "just" an F-150 with electric motors instead of an ICE.
        ganoushoreilly 4y ago
        I mean, it is. It's a more modern, more technologically advanced truck, sure a lot of it has changed, but they are using the basis of the F150 technology and have imparted that dna into the new vehicle. It looks like an F150. So i'm still confused what your point is. An iPhone is still a Phone, a smart one with all sorts of features but that doesn't remove the fact that you can call it a phone and it's 100% correct. I think we're playing a game of semantics now so i'm not sure what else to say other than we'll agree to disagree.
    - numpad0 4y ago
      I think this just is just just, if this is just to turn a phone(not hyper magical AR device) into hands-free goggles form for easier use, it does that.