A few years ago, Microsoft received several military contracts worth tens of billions of dollars. The task was to develop a special military version of the HoloLens mixed reality helmet.

What’s wrong with HoloLens?

When testing the helmets in the field, the US military complained of symptoms that VR helmet users are known to experience quite often: headache, nausea, visual impairment.

More than 80% of those who experienced the disorder had symptoms after using a special version of Microsoft’s HoloLens glasses for less than three hours. Nicholas Guertin, head of the Army and Department of Defense Operations Test and Evaluation Office, told Bloomberg. According to him, there are still too many failures in the performance of basic functions in the system.

Despite the shortcomings of the device, Gertin considers it unsuitable for use and is confident that the military made the right bet on the development of modern technologies. He advised the military to “prioritize improvements” before widespread deployment to reduce “physical user inconvenience”. According to him, the low-light sensors, screen clarity, field of view and the low reliability of some important functions of the glasses also need to be improved.

On the positive side, the reliability of the latest model has been improved in a key metric – the mean time between failures that render the entire system inoperable. Commanders and soldiers also reported that the latest version “improves navigation and coordination of unit movements.”

Why does the US military have XR helmets?

Microsoft’s Integrated Visual Magnification System, or IVAS, is expected to provide US ground forces with a “head-up display” similar to that of fighter pilots. It will allow commanders to project information onto a screen in front of a soldier and will include features such as night vision. According to estimates, the army will spend $21.9 billion over a decade for eyeglasses, spare parts and support services if all options are used.

The results of the tests will be carefully evaluated by the government, who will decide whether to approve or not. $424.2 millionthat the military proposes to spend on this program this fiscal year.

According to Bloomberg, the helmet-testing report contains a finding that could prompt members of Congress to reconsider whether to continue with the program.

It is said that the acceptance of the glasses by the soldiers “remains low”. Both they and their commanders say the device “doesn’t add to their ability to perform their mission.”

“Our close collaboration with the military has allowed us to quickly build and modify the device to develop a transformative platform that will provide greater safety and effectiveness for soldiers,” said Microsoft, who did not receive a copy of the test results.