Microsoft Stepping Away from HoloLens Combined Actuality {Hardware}
Microsoft has confirmed that its HoloLens blended actuality {hardware} efforts have formally come to an finish.
The corporate ended manufacturing of its newest headset, HoloLens 2, in October 2024, and on the time didn’t disclose future plans for the HoloLens crew. In 2023, some groups, together with these engaged on HoloLens, have been hit with layoffs, with the corporate solely expressing vague plans to proceed its blended actuality {hardware} push. Additional, plans for a third iteration of its blended actuality headset have been within the works, but were scrapped (paywalled).
Now, Microsoft has closed the door on the {hardware} with affirmation despatched to The Verge from Microsoft Combined Actuality CVP Robin Seiler:
“We’re transitioning away from {hardware} improvement however will proceed to offer assist for HoloLens2 {hardware} and software program by way of 2027, as introduced in October. We stay dedicated to the IVAS program and can shift our focus to cloud and AI applied sciences, which is able to function the inspiration for IVAS as a situational consciousness platform.”
The corporate can also be turning to a brand new companion, protection expertise agency Anduril Industries, to proceed its HoloLens contract with the Division of Protection. Anduril Industries will take the lead “to drive the subsequent part of the U.S. Military’s Built-in Visible Augmentation System (IVAS) program,” in accordance with a joint press release.
Microsoft’s Protection Division contract, which was estimated at $21.9 billion in 2021, centered on growing the IVAS expertise that might be used for coaching and have a unified heads-up show integrating high-resolution evening, thermal, and soldier-borne sensors. The present system is designed to boost situational consciousness, goal engagement, and decision-making within the discipline.
Transferring ahead, Anduril Industries will take over improvement of IVAS and deal with future manufacturing of headsets utilized by the navy. Microsoft will proceed to assist this system by way of the usage of Microsoft Cloud and AI capabilities.
