It's all fun and games until the technology is actually put into use and you realize augmented reality is now part of Death Star.
That's what some AR insiders may be thinking once they get a look at the latest modified HoloLens 2 images released by the US Army.
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The newest images come from a battery of tests being conducted by the US Army Futures Command and Project Manager Integrated Visual Augmentation System (IVAS).
Looking at some of these new images, the modded HoloLens 2 gives soldiers a bit of a Star Wars Stormtrooper look, which will be exciting for some, assuming you're not on the wrong end of the AR lens during battle. It's one thing to see a single soldier wearing the device, but being presented with an entire team of AR helmet-equipped flying soldiers begins to look a lot like science fiction.
"The Army is investing in resources to broaden the emerging capabilities of IVAS to improve effectiveness and safety of airborne Soldiers en route to their mission," said Dr. Navin Mathur, IVAS platform integration project engineer, in a statement on the Army's website.
The testing series is geared toward assisting paratroopers and military aircrews using Chinook and Black Hawk helicopters.
In practice, the wearable device will allow soldiers to ditch touchscreen tablets while cruising the skies and instead access information in their field of view.
Earlier this year, the fully formed military version of the HoloLens 2 was fully revealed, showing off a device that appears larger than the original device and ruggedized for combat scenarios.
The modified HoloLens 2 is a result of a $21 billion contract with Microsoft to produce 120,000 military-grade HoloLens 2 devices.
"During the development phases for these current and future ground and air platforms, we're focused foremost on putting together the user experience," said Mathur. "The team is getting their feedback during exercises like EDGE and making quick upgrades. We're continually refining designs to meet their needs."
Cover image via US Army
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