Collection of IVAS Articles

Thank you Walt!

It appears that the Army is taking this very seriously.


Soldiers Test new IVAS Tech

The final product -- officials say it will likely be fielded in the fourth quarter of FY21 -- will include a variety of features: a color see-through digital display that makes it possible for the user to access information without taking his eye off the battlefield; thermal and low-light sensors that make it possible to see in the dark, literally; rapid target acquisition and aided target identification; augmented reality and artificial intelligence, to name just a few.
 
How the Soldier Lethality Team



 Army's Tactical Network...

When optimized, the Integrated Visual Augmentation System (IVAS) is a single platform that features advanced goggles connected to a body wearable computer, or puck, to perform multiple situational awareness functions, including a simulated training environment (STE), advanced night vision, target acquisition and language translation for enhanced situational awareness. 

 Soldier Feedback Drives Modernization

Real World 3D For Operations

Natick Experts... 

Army Tests Augmented Reality Headset

New Night Vision Goggles

Marines try out Mixed Reality  

Third IVAS Evaluation Slated for July 

New Goggles bring AI to soldier Training

AR Use case

Things like this show what developers are up to with AR.

It's Magic Leap, but you can be sure that they'll have a Hololens app as well. (And that Magic Leap will use the best Near Eye display they can find.)

(I tried both Magic Leap, and Hololens 1 and believe they were using the same display.)

Next Reality

Yahoo News
 

Minecraft Earth

Adding new Countries....

Unreal Engine -- Hololens

Thanks Mike!

As for me, I can't wait until it's available to assist with CRJ 200 Systems.

Minecraft Earth

Everything AR on your phone will be AR with Glasses....

Minecraft is Microsoft.

The Most popular Youtube Video on Hololens.... Minecraft.

I'm still slammed, and unable to pay as much attention as I'd like... things are getting interesting again.

Thanks Mike

C|net

When is Minecraft Earth coming out?

Starting this month, Microsoft plans to roll out to individual regions early access to game, until it's available worldwide by the end of the fall. Once it hits your area, you can start playing.

Sign up to be part of the Minecraft Earth early access program. Android users can also preregister for the game and get a notification when it's available. 

 

Hololens Guides

Thanks Mike

On Sale in September

Last week I stopped by the Microsoft campus, and visited the Microsoft store there. I asked if I could see a Hololens 2.

I did see one, but it was on the head of an employee who was "gathering data." He raved about it but didn't let me try it on.

The folks at the store there said that their Hololens 2 was overdue. They expected it a couple of weeks ago and still haven't seen it. So they're on the "any day now" plan.

When it shows up I'll head down to check it out in person.


SHANGHAI (Reuters) - Microsoft Corp’s second generation HoloLens augmented reality headset will go on sale in September, the company’s executive vice president Harry Shum said on Thursday.

Shum made the comment in a speech at the World Artificial Intelligence Conference in Shanghai.


Display first... 

In the strictest sense, it's still speculative that Microvision's tech is in Hololens. (But there is enough evidence that I'm all in) This contract when mentioned, Microvision stated that once development was complete, Microvision could sell the results to whoever they wanted to.

I think the enterprise focus of Microsoft made things happen a bit more slowly, but a lot better. I think consumer versions will be close behind.

Reuters

The Verge

Holographic Tactical Sandbox

More very cool stuff flying just under the radar... 



Janes
Virtual Reality Times

Hololens Partner Videos

The partners they highlighted on their new page. Videos from them. (couldn't find a good one from Medvis)

The Page
CAE Healthcare



Pearson



Siemens Truck Maintenance


Bosch



Upskill



Phillips

The Return of Consumer Smart Glasses

Very interesting article, and Microvision is noticed.

2020Mag

Thanks Mike & Karen & John


LASER TO HOLOGRAPHIC COMBINER:
Pico-laser-based near-eye displays were pioneered by Microvision. With this kind of display system, a laser is bounced off a micro-mirror, mounted on a dual-axis gimbal. Early versions of these Microvision displays simply used a beam-splitter, otherwise known as a two-way mirror to combine the view of the real world with the view of virtual content. Over time, a more sophisticated optical combiner was developed, similar to the holographic waveguide. A series of micro-mirror-like holographic elements could be embedded inside a lens and the laser targeted at them, to reflect into the user’s eye. These laser displays—in their current form—have one distinct shortcoming compared to waveguides: a very narrow field of view (that being the width of the user’s view that can be augmented with virtual content). But as a competitor to waveguides, they also have a tremendous lens-crafters like Interglass of Switzerland, or Canadian consumer smartglasses brand, North, have shown that these kind of laser-based displays can be embedded within a traditional prescription lens. 

​

North also has a patent to embed a waveguide within a prescription lens. Interglass says they’re also working on a waveguide within a prescription lens, and DigiLens have IP around a curved waveguide applied to the surface of a prescription lens. A representative from Interglass has suggested that a holographic waveguide embedded within a prescription lens should be expected in time for the Consumer Electronics Show in January 2020.

The waveguide display also requires a “light engine,” or micro-display to project into its input grating—the image source. These are also miniaturizing, getting brighter and falling in power consumption. 

​

In future generations, expect lenses to combine displays with tunable focus lenses.

Availability of Hololens 2?

Based on this (likely from a Press Release... still looking) and from Microsoft Store, I'll hazard a guess the release is soon.

They're releasing a 90 day trial version of their software with additional Hololens 2 features.

It also suggests there may be other versions of Hololens 2 available very soon. (Hololens OR Windows Mixed Reality Immersive Headset Required)

Further, it looks like it will be a wide release, with support over a wide area.


Dynamics 365 gets new Hololens 2 experience


Some changes have been brought for HoloLens 2 as well. To start off, Layout will automatically be downloaded and installed on HoloLens 2 during its start-up, with users being able to immediately access the app using their Azure Active Directory credentials. Furthermore, there is now improved localization support for Layout on the mixed reality headset, with support for the following locales becoming available:

• US
• Canada (English and French)
• UK
• Australia
• Germany
• France
• China
• Japan
• Taiwan (no speech support)
• Hong Kong (no speech support)

Microsoft recently announced new integrations for Dynamics 365 ahead of its ongoing Inspire 2019 partner's conference. If you do not currently own Layout, you can download it here from the Microsoft Store for a free 90-day trial.

At Microsoft:

Upon download, users will have access to Layout free of charge for 90 days. After the 90 day trial period, a paid Dynamics 365 Layout license is required. Important note: Microsoft HoloLens or Windows Mixed Reality immersive headset are required to use Layout for more information on how to purchase layout, contact a Microsoft representative 

Wear this and learn your job

Do not doubt how big this will be.



New York Times

CHILLICOTHE, Ohio — When Toby Bouska Jr. started assembling cabs for Kenworth semitrucks last year, he learned the ropes by observing longtime workers at the factory. But it wasn’t exactly engaging, and he didn’t get much practice doing the job himself.

“It’s them doing the job, and you just have to watch,” said Mr. Bouska, 21, who works at Kenworth’s plant in Chillicothe. “I’m not really good at just sitting there watching.”

But then his managers had him train in a new way: with a high-tech headset. They gave him a Microsoft HoloLens, a device that blends digital imagery with the real world. When he wore the headset, it overlaid digital arrows and diagrams over the parts he was looking at, helping to guide his work.

“With the HoloLens, it’s just you and the directions,” Mr. Bouska said. He said he had picked up his first new task in about 20 minutes.

The latest version of HoloLens, which ships later this year, will be more tailored to workers than this original model.CreditAndrew Spear for The New York Times

Microsoft estimates that two billion frontline workers have access to fast internet connections and are, in theory, potential customers. In a call with investors this year, Satya Nadella, Microsoft’s chief executive, said selling products for firstline workers expanded the market Microsoft could tap into.

Chasing Holograms

Thanks Ron!

Apple AR Glasses

Business Insider

2020

Catadioptric?

Basically it's bouncing a projection off something else.... which is what any AR system will have to do.

So, this word doesn't do anything to necessarily include or exclude MVIS's display, but I think Apple will want the best, and I'm quite sure that what Microvision has developed outclasses anything else out there.


A catadioptric optical system is one where refraction and reflection are combined in an optical system, usually via lenses (dioptrics) and curved mirrors (catoptrics).

Wikipedia Catadioptric

Spiderman

Thanks Fuzzie

I have it starting at the interesting part, cut off the first 20 seconds.

People are going to flip out when they realize that this ISN'T science fiction.

Watch Nokia

A couple of dots that are interesting. So Nokia is going crazy with 5G -- under the name "Nokia"

But Nokia is really Microsoft Mobile, but still in this article as "the Finnish" company.

Verizon is all over 5G -- and using Hololens to advertise that. (Check recent post)

During my recent visit to Taqtile, I asked how they got started with Hololens. The answer was they were designing apps for Microsoft phones, but Microsoft phones were getting phased out, and they were invited to work on the NEW project.....

****************

UPDATE (also functioning separately.)

The Finnish telecommunications equipment maker said Tuesday that it has signed 42 commercial 5G deals around the world.

That puts it on par with Huawei, which has invested heavily in developing the next generation of wireless technology that will underpin much of the new digital economy.

NextWeb, Microsoft Bought Nokia

Old Video From Nokia (2012) --- Did they know this was coming that long ago?

Mixed Reality Playground

I don't have time yet this morning, but this is on my agenda.

Not too long ago, Microsoft released version 2 of the HoloLens, simply known as HoloLens 2. And I can surely say that most of you didn’t even see it for real. If you’re one of those then it’s pretty much safe to say that you don’t understand the tech behind the HoloLens as much as you understand the PCs and smartphones. Microsoft is here to help you.

Microsoft has released a new app to the Microsoft Store. Microsoft’s MR Playground is a new app that will guide you through the latest technology available for HoloLens 2. Here is how the official described it:

An open source sample app showcasing the latest technology available for HoloLens 2. In this app users can place cubes in their environment that unpack into various interactable mini-experiences.

FEATURES

• Movable world-locked object palette
• Spawn a holographic hummingbird that follows your hands.
• Pop gems with your eyes and voice.

MSPoweruser

Download the APP

Verizon 5G, Hololens and Treating Cancer

Thanks Fuzzie

I think this illustrates what kind of resolution we might be dealing with -- and applications.

If you aren't REALLY excited about this tech you have no imagination.

This also adds another Tier 1 company to the radar... Interesting how much Hololens gets play with a 5G commercial from a mobile carrier..... there are a few dots that haven't been connected here.

The video is very oddly locked, and I haven't been able to find it to embed it from YouTube. (It might a kind of pre-release of the video, considering it's in Adweek - or that the NBA has something to do with it.)



Adweek

Visit to Taqtile -- Everyone is an Expert

I had an opportunity to meet Dirck Schou at Taqtile in Seattle this week.

Taqtile offers a suite of VR, mixed reality and mobile apps. The technology lets users view holographic maps and models of cities, build trade skills through VR learning and collaborate using 3D holographic visualization.
They are on the front lines of making 3D computing useful.  They are known for Holomaps. (Which have been demonstrated by Microsoft)

The enthusiasm for this tech is huge, and they are able to easily share one person's expertise with any number of other people. The results are extremely promising, with error reduction, time and cost savings.

I'll admit I was rather hung up on using it to train people, but there are often things that need to be done -- but only rarely.... with these tools, it's possible to simply record a procedure --- and the next person, using Hololens, could be walked through the entire procedure and do it exactly, without having to learn it.

In their meeting room I walked through a pre-flight of a Cessna 172 -- as though the airplane were in the room with us. It was fantastic.

---- the bottom line is that the benefits of this go straight to the bottom line. There is an immediate and measurable benefit to using this tech.

It's difficult to find investing opportunities where this is true and it's still unknown.  (people still think this is science fiction, but it's real.)




I see Manifest like the Adobe Creative Suite for Hololens. Their tagline is "Everyone is an expert." Their software can help people easily take an augmented reality device (they work with Magic Leap, Hololens & iPad... other devices were mentioned.)

AUTHOR
Subject matter experts (Authors) can intuitively create stored step-by-step procedures with minimal training. Manifest does not require specialized knowledge of 3D, CAD publishing tools, or coding to create guided content.


ANNOTATE
Overlay markers and position indicators to identify key components and locations upon real-world equipment. Text instructions, 3D ink annotations, and attached document bookmarks can be created with ease.


CAPTURE
In situ recording of multimedia content like videos, pictures, and audio using a HoloLens, Magic Leap, or iPad.


COMPOSE
Utilize the Manifest web portal to easily add content such as static or animated 3D models, existing videos & pictures, as well as document & diagram attachments.

" Anyone can create content on real world equipment. Use Manifest software on a device or the Manifest web portal to quickly author stored procedures."

"With Manifest, Flow can offer demos of their featured waterjet cutting equipment like never before. Manifest allows for marketing content to be displayed over real equipment in a trade show or showroom environment, or over a digital replica so potential customers can see how it will fit in their space. Embedded video content enables prospective clients to see how the real model functions."

Holomaps by Taqtile

Games and Fiction on Hololens

They aren't going to have played with all of this if their only intent is for enterprise.

But I suspect that the Hololens where this experience will be available will be from Dell or Lenovo, or some other computer maker.