In a major shift for military technology, defense company Anduril is set to take over production of the Army's Integrated Visual Augmentation System (IVAS) from Microsoft, promising enhanced battlefield capabilities for soldiers.
The IVAS program, initially a $21.9 billion contract awarded to Microsoft in 2021, aims to provide troops with augmented reality headsets for improved combat awareness. However, early versions faced challenges with users reporting physical discomfort including dizziness and nausea.
Under the new partnership announced in February, Anduril will oversee production, hardware and software development, and delivery schedules, while Microsoft will continue providing cloud infrastructure through its Azure platform.
This transition comes as the Army explores next-generation goggle technology through a recent request for information for "IVAS Next." The Army is specifically seeking solutions to address visual comfort limitations and combat-related challenges.
Massachusetts-based Kopin Corporation is developing promising technology called NeuralDisplay, which could revolutionize military goggle systems. The system features real-time eye tracking that automatically adjusts to soldiers' physiological responses during high-stress situations.
"In the middle of a conflict, when a person experiences fight-or-flight response, their pupils dilate to gather maximum information. Current systems don't account for these natural responses, leading to user discomfort," explained Michael Murray, Kopin's CEO.
The NeuralDisplay system may also enable innovative control features, allowing soldiers to potentially operate drones using eye movements while maintaining situational awareness of their surroundings.
As military goggle technology evolves, these advancements could dramatically improve soldiers' combat effectiveness while addressing the comfort and usability issues that have challenged earlier systems.