US Army Will Soon Start Testing Improved Microsoft HoloLens Headset

The US Army, which has been testing a combat version of Microsoft’s HoloLens headset for quite some time will soon receive an improved version of it. According to Bloomberg, Microsoft’s redesigned headset will address the reliability and comfort issues soldiers have been complaining about with the current version of the headset.

Microsoft is expected to deliver its first redesigned HoloLens prototypes by July 31, which according to the company is three months ahead of schedule. “After delivery, the first 20 prototype IVAS 1.2 goggles will be assessed by two squads of soldiers in late August to check for improvements in reliability, low-light performance and how well they fit soldiers without repeats of the nausea and dizziness that halted the deployment of earlier versions,” Bloomberg reported.

The upcoming tests will determine if the US Army places an order for additional prototypes for a second evaluation. This would be followed by a “full-blown combat operational test” in Spring 2025, according to the report. What is ultimately at stake is a contract for up to 121,000 devices, which could be worth $21.9 billion if the US Army opts for a complete package with spare parts and support services.

If Microsoft’s HoloLens 2 is a core part of Microsoft’s vision for the “industrial metaverse,” this billion-dollar contract with the US Army still appears critical to the future of HoloLens as a product. The HoloLens 2, which starts at $3,500 didn’t really have competition when it launched in November 2019, but this is all set to change once Apple launches its Vision Pro headset next year. Apple’s headset will also be priced at $3,500, making it out of reach for most consumers.