Microsoft to Make Augmented Reality Headsets for US Army
2021-04-04
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1Microsoft has announced a contract with the U.S. Army worth almost $22 billion to produce augmented reality headsets.
2Augmented reality, or AR, is a technology that uses glasses to project computer-created pictures and information that add to what users see in the real, physical world.
3The deal was announced Wednesday.
4Microsoft would supply at least 120,000 troops with the devices.
5Military officials said the technology will improve soldiers' ability to see their surroundings and identify targets and danger.
6The technology is based on Microsoft's HoloLens headsets, which were first designed for video games.
7The Army said the headsets could be used for both training and in battle.
8The army said the AR system could help troops gain an upper hand during battle.
9Soldiers first tested the gadgets last year.
10The contract is worth up to $21.88 billion for up to 10 years, Microsoft said.
11The agreement goes for five years and could be extended for an additional five.
12Microsoft President Brad Smith spoke about the technology to the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee in February.
13He said soldiers could use the system to see at night and for facial recognition on the battlefield.
14He also described how it could help in hostage situations by creating an electronic representation of a building, what he called a "digital twin."
15Several technology companies have sought to use augmented reality for video games.
16Those efforts have largely been unsuccessful.
17But Microsoft's Hololens 2 will be used by the Army.
18The company also wants the devices to be used to help doctors during medical operations, factory crews and others.
19Users can often control what they see on the device by using hand movements or voice commands.
20The headset deal is part of Microsoft's work as a defense contractor.
21The military also awarded Microsoft a $10 billion cloud computing contract in September.
22I'm Mario Ritter, Jr.
1Microsoft has announced a contract with the U.S. Army worth almost $22 billion to produce augmented reality headsets. 2Augmented reality, or AR, is a technology that uses glasses to project computer-created pictures and information that add to what users see in the real, physical world. 3The deal was announced Wednesday. Microsoft would supply at least 120,000 troops with the devices. 4Military officials said the technology will improve soldiers' ability to see their surroundings and identify targets and danger. The technology is based on Microsoft's HoloLens headsets, which were first designed for video games. 5The Army said the headsets could be used for both training and in battle. The army said the AR system could help troops gain an upper hand during battle. Soldiers first tested the gadgets last year. 6The contract is worth up to $21.88 billion for up to 10 years, Microsoft said. The agreement goes for five years and could be extended for an additional five. 7Microsoft President Brad Smith spoke about the technology to the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee in February. He said soldiers could use the system to see at night and for facial recognition on the battlefield. He also described how it could help in hostage situations by creating an electronic representation of a building, what he called a "digital twin." 8Several technology companies have sought to use augmented reality for video games. Those efforts have largely been unsuccessful. But Microsoft's Hololens 2 will be used by the Army. The company also wants the devices to be used to help doctors during medical operations, factory crews and others. Users can often control what they see on the device by using hand movements or voice commands. 9The headset deal is part of Microsoft's work as a defense contractor. The military also awarded Microsoft a $10 billion cloud computing contract in September. 10I'm Mario Ritter, Jr. 11Matt O'Brien reported this story for The Associated Press. Dan Novak adapted it for VOA Learning English. Mario Ritter Jr. was the editor. 12_______________________________________________________________ 13Words in This Story 14headset- n. (augmented reality) a device worn on the head that uses computer technology to produce images and information that add to what the wearer can see in the real world 15project-v. to cause (light, a picture, a movie, etc.) to appear on a surface 16gadget-n. a small, useful device 17digital-adj. using or characterized by computer technology 18twin-n. either one of two similar things that form a pair 19contractor-n. a person who is hired to perform work or to provide goods at a certain price or within a certain time 20We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section, and visit our Facebook page.