Microsoft is preparing an augmented reality for US soldiers, employees are against
In November, 2018, Microsoft won a contract worth 479 million US dollars to supply the US Army version of the HoloLens Augmented Reality headset. The other day, CNBC has released a detailed report on a new technology that can turn the tide on training the soldier of the future.
The integrated visual enhancement system (IVAS) is the name of the new system. It is based on a Microsoft product called HoloLens. HoloLens is an augmented reality helmet. That is, the person wearing the system sees the combined picture: reality and virtual reality projected onto it.
The system was originally intended for professional users: surgeons, architects, mechanics. With it, it was possible to significantly simplify training and ensure more efficient performance of complex technical and medical operations, simplify work processes. And of course, this technology quickly interested the army.
In Austin, Texas, there is an army team Futures. It works with high-tech companies, starting with small start-ups and ending with major American firms, organizing a direct line of communication between enterprises and the military, allowing for more efficient implementation of new technologies on the battlefield.
The US armed forces and Microsoft have signed an agreement in the amount of 479 million dollars. However, this decision of the leadership provoked protests among ordinary workers who began to object to the fact that the product developed by them would be used for military purposes.
The collection of signatures for the petition was organized by the trade union Microsoft Workers 4 Good: it was created at the end of January 2019. In an open letter, the union demanded that the corporation review contracts with the military, stop developing armory technologies, and, most importantly, the formation of an ethics committee that would determine which contracts are permissible to conclude.
The main objection of the staff is that most of them were confident that they were working on a purely peaceful technology.
The company's management almost immediately came out in support of the contract. Brad Smith, the president of the corporation, emphasized that the company has long-standing ties with the military, and cooperation began more than 30 years ago. Those who are not satisfied with the situation may transfer from this project to others, or change the working group within the company.
The speeches were so significant that they forced Microsoft CEO Satyu Nadella to intervene and respond very sharply to the company's employees who disagree with the decision.
- said Nadella in an interview with CNN Business at the Mobile World Congress event.
Similar trends are observed in other corporations engaged in this field. Last year, Google employees forced the company to break the agreement with the army. The concern of the workers was caused by the Maven project, which used the company's artificial intelligence technology to analyze images of unmanned aerial vehicles.
The amount that the military is paying for their version of the Augmented Reality headset is not known for certain. One single kit for the regular consumer market costs 3500 dollars.
According to CNBC, IVAS is a modified version of HoloLens 2. Externally, the system is almost identical to a commercial headset - with the exception of the new FLIR thermal imaging camera, which is located in a prominent position above the user's forehead.
But the stuffing is of paramount importance, and CNBC reports that this prototype is pretty much like first-person shooters.
The augmented reality points can be used to display the course to the point of arrival, the position relative to each of the teammates, a grid that will turn the process of aiming the weapon at the target into a virtual game. The thermal imager will allow the headset to duplicate thermal / night vision goggles, determining the presence of the enemy through smoke, at night or behind certain types of obstacles (for example, bushes).
It is assumed that the size of the glasses will greatly decrease and they can be worn under the helmet (as long as this is impossible).
The military are going to use the system not only in battle. She is an excellent trainer for training soldiers. IVAS transmits a pulse, sees how a soldier looks or where he takes aim.
Microsoft is the most famous, but not the only company working on the system. Mark Stevens, Director of Acquisition and Operations, IVAS, told reporters that 13 companies were involved in the project.
One of these, Flir, developed a thermal sensor attached directly to the front of the modified HoloLens 2. It looks like half a silver table tennis ball. The device provides night vision and more.
- explained Stevens, noting that another unnamed company helps to convert 2D graphics inside HoloLens into 3D images.
Microsoft is a contractor who has obtained the rights to an exclusive 24 contract for a month. During this period, other technology companies working on augmented reality technologies, such as Google, Apple or Magic Leap, will not qualify for participation in the development of new military technology.
According to preliminary data, the army purchased up to 100 thousands of IVAS. It will be available for widespread use in the 2022 year, and more extensive device deployment is planned for the 2028 year.
The integrated visual enhancement system (IVAS) is the name of the new system. It is based on a Microsoft product called HoloLens. HoloLens is an augmented reality helmet. That is, the person wearing the system sees the combined picture: reality and virtual reality projected onto it.
The system was originally intended for professional users: surgeons, architects, mechanics. With it, it was possible to significantly simplify training and ensure more efficient performance of complex technical and medical operations, simplify work processes. And of course, this technology quickly interested the army.
In Austin, Texas, there is an army team Futures. It works with high-tech companies, starting with small start-ups and ending with major American firms, organizing a direct line of communication between enterprises and the military, allowing for more efficient implementation of new technologies on the battlefield.
The US armed forces and Microsoft have signed an agreement in the amount of 479 million dollars. However, this decision of the leadership provoked protests among ordinary workers who began to object to the fact that the product developed by them would be used for military purposes.
The collection of signatures for the petition was organized by the trade union Microsoft Workers 4 Good: it was created at the end of January 2019. In an open letter, the union demanded that the corporation review contracts with the military, stop developing armory technologies, and, most importantly, the formation of an ethics committee that would determine which contracts are permissible to conclude.
The main objection of the staff is that most of them were confident that they were working on a purely peaceful technology.
The company's management almost immediately came out in support of the contract. Brad Smith, the president of the corporation, emphasized that the company has long-standing ties with the military, and cooperation began more than 30 years ago. Those who are not satisfied with the situation may transfer from this project to others, or change the working group within the company.
The speeches were so significant that they forced Microsoft CEO Satyu Nadella to intervene and respond very sharply to the company's employees who disagree with the decision.
We made a principled decision not to deny technology to institutions chosen by us in democratic states in order to protect the freedom that we have. We were very transparent in our decision, and we will continue the dialogue [with the staff]
- said Nadella in an interview with CNN Business at the Mobile World Congress event.
Similar trends are observed in other corporations engaged in this field. Last year, Google employees forced the company to break the agreement with the army. The concern of the workers was caused by the Maven project, which used the company's artificial intelligence technology to analyze images of unmanned aerial vehicles.
The amount that the military is paying for their version of the Augmented Reality headset is not known for certain. One single kit for the regular consumer market costs 3500 dollars.
According to CNBC, IVAS is a modified version of HoloLens 2. Externally, the system is almost identical to a commercial headset - with the exception of the new FLIR thermal imaging camera, which is located in a prominent position above the user's forehead.
But the stuffing is of paramount importance, and CNBC reports that this prototype is pretty much like first-person shooters.
The augmented reality points can be used to display the course to the point of arrival, the position relative to each of the teammates, a grid that will turn the process of aiming the weapon at the target into a virtual game. The thermal imager will allow the headset to duplicate thermal / night vision goggles, determining the presence of the enemy through smoke, at night or behind certain types of obstacles (for example, bushes).
It is assumed that the size of the glasses will greatly decrease and they can be worn under the helmet (as long as this is impossible).
The military are going to use the system not only in battle. She is an excellent trainer for training soldiers. IVAS transmits a pulse, sees how a soldier looks or where he takes aim.
Microsoft is the most famous, but not the only company working on the system. Mark Stevens, Director of Acquisition and Operations, IVAS, told reporters that 13 companies were involved in the project.
One of these, Flir, developed a thermal sensor attached directly to the front of the modified HoloLens 2. It looks like half a silver table tennis ball. The device provides night vision and more.
There are 12 sensor contracts.
- explained Stevens, noting that another unnamed company helps to convert 2D graphics inside HoloLens into 3D images.
Microsoft is a contractor who has obtained the rights to an exclusive 24 contract for a month. During this period, other technology companies working on augmented reality technologies, such as Google, Apple or Magic Leap, will not qualify for participation in the development of new military technology.
According to preliminary data, the army purchased up to 100 thousands of IVAS. It will be available for widespread use in the 2022 year, and more extensive device deployment is planned for the 2028 year.
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