August 15, 2013 – The U.S. Army recently announced delivery of the first 20 Integrated Visual Augmentation Systems (IVAS) prototype of version 1.2. The military said the milestone is the latest step in putting the most advanced version of the system into the hands of soldiers.
Microsoft handed over the 20 prototypes to the Soldier Warrior program manager (PM SWAR), which is the program office responsible for overseeing IVAS development, falls under the Army Soldier Program Executive Office (PEO Soldier).
IVAS is a multibillion-dollar military project based on the Microsoft HoloLens mixed reality (MR) device, featuring all-weather combat goggles and a mixed reality head-up display (HUD). The purpose of the project is to provide enhanced situational awareness tools and high-resolution simulations to provide soldiers with better mobility and attack power, day or night.
The new variant adds reliability upgrades, features an improved low-light sensor, and introduces a low-profile head-up display (HUD) with distributed weighting for improved user interface (UI) and comfort.
"This is a very big problem for the project," said Swara. "We tested version 1.0 of the system over a year ago. We learned a lot. We got a lot of soldier feedback. So last summer, we reorganized the project. We took those lessons and soldier feedback, What is now known as version 1.2 of the system was completed in less than a year."
Soldiers and squads will use IVAS to gain a more complete understanding of their operational environment, according to the military. Enhanced low-light and thermal sensors improve object recognition and integrate with ground and air platform sensors to give soldiers the ability to see outside the vehicle before exiting a dangerous situation. IVAS can also provide 3D maps and navigation functions, and can receive data from drones.
"[IVAS] complements the military's existing equipment while extending the capabilities of close combat forces by leveraging digital architecture for shared cognition and edge computing," said Lieutenant Colonel IVAS Dresch, product manager. "IVAS provides a first-person augmented reality perspective, enabling operational data such as routing and control measures to be integrated into the human field of vision."
The system's embedded training tool "Squad Immersive Virtual Trainer" (SiVT) also provides soldiers with target-based scenarios and combat drills through holographic and mixed reality images, enabling troops to train flexibly with limited resources, the military said. their squad.
In addition, the military stated thatIVAS 1.2There is also the ability to attach to a "hinge" mechanism on a combat helmet, allowing soldiers to raise and lower the display, similar to traditional night vision goggles.
"Anyone who has tried IVAS, even the early versions, knows it's a transformative capability that really has the potential to change the way we fight," Gibbs added. "We think this new version, version 1.2, is going to really hit the ground running on the situational awareness and leadership capabilities we need to provide to soldiers."
According to the military, the 20 prototypes will undergo user evaluation this month, when two squads of Soldiers will use IVAS 1.2 to test the system's performance and ensure that engineering efforts are on schedule and meeting design goals.
To learn more about Microsoft and its HoloLens mixed reality headset, visit the company's website.
Image credit: U.S. Army
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