The mixed reality headset IVAS, based on Microsoft HoloLens, was found to cause physical ailments in US military personnel that affect mission performance during the latest field tests. The army version of the HoloLens caused soldiers to complain of eyestrain, headaches and nausea.Bloomberg has accessed a 79-page report on the mixed reality headset being tested by the US Army. The military version of HoloLens has not satisfied the Pentagon. Tests conducted between May and June say that Microsoft needs to make a number of improvements and fix the shortcomings in the mixed reality headset.
“These devices would have us killed”
In a briefing to the military, Nickolas Guertin, Director of Operations Testing and Evaluation, said that more than 80 percent of soldiers with the condition showed symptoms less than three hours after using the military-specific version of the HoloLens. However, it is stated that there are frequent crashes on the device.
Noting that the light emitted by HoloLens in active mode could show the enemy the location of the soldiers, an army officer said, “These devices would have us killed.” Another tester admitted that a mixed reality headset could be dangerous for soldiers at this stage.
The advantages of HoloLens are not overlooked
Despite its obvious shortcomings, the Pentagon has not completely abandoned the HoloLens. The US military admits that the HoloLens is very good at navigating the terrain and coordinating the movement of different units. Microsoft needs to improve the performance of sensors in low light conditions, improve screen clarity and viewing angles, and fix some critical stability issues.
In particular, it is requested that priority should be given to improving the problems that cause physical ailments in soldiers. Let us remind you that Microsoft signed a contract with the US Army in early 2021 to supply 120,000 HoloLens-based mixed reality headsets. The historic 10-year deal between Microsoft and the US Army is estimated to be worth $21.9 billion.
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