Microsoft has announced a contract with the United States military worth nearly $ 22 billion to produce augmented reality headsets
Augmented reality, or AR, is a technology that uses glasses project computer-generated images and information that contribute to what users see in the real, physical world.
The deal was announced on Wednesday. Microsoft would supply at least 120,000 troops with the devices.
Military officials said the technology will improve soldiers’ ability to see their surroundings and identify targets and hazards. The technology is based on Microsoft’s HoloLens headsets, which were first designed for video games.
The military said the headsets could be used for both training and combat. The military said the AR system could help troops gain the upper hand in battle. Soldiers first tested the gadgets last year.
The contract is worth up to $ 21.88 billion for up to 10 years, Microsoft said. The agreement is valid for five years and can be extended for another five years.
Microsoft President Brad Smith spoke about the technology before the United States Senate Committee on Armed Services in February. He said soldiers could use the system for night vision and facial recognition on the battlefield. He also described how it could help with hostage-taking by creating an electronic representation of a building, which he called a “digital twin
Several technology companies have tried to use augmented reality for video games. Those efforts have largely failed. But Microsoft’s Hololens 2 will be used by the military. The company also wants the devices to be used to assist doctors during medical surgeries, factory shifts, and others. Users can often control what they see on the device by using hand gestures or voice commands.
The headset deal is part of Microsoft’s work as a defense contractorThe military also awarded Microsoft a $ 10 billion cloud computing contract in September.
I am Mario Ritter, Jr.
Matt O’Brien reported this story for The Associated Press. Dan Novak adapted it for VOA Learning English. Mario Ritter Jr. was the editor.
Words in this story
headphones n. (augmented reality) a device worn on the head that uses computer technology to produce images and information that contribute to what the wearer can see in the real world
projectv. cause (light, a photo, a film, etc.) to appear on a surface
gadgetn. a small, handy device
digitaladj. using or characterized by computer technology
twinn. one of two similar things that make up a pair
contractorn. a person who is hired to perform work or to supply goods at a specified price or within a specified time
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