Microsoft expands Mixed Reality markets with HoloLens 2, highlights Lockheed Martin and NASA
HoloLens 2 is now available in more markets, saving companies time and money.
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What you need to know
TheHoloLens 2is gaining more momentum. Microsoft today is announcing new markets where the mixed-reality headset is now available to order.
Those 15 markets, including Netherlands, Sweden, and Hong Kong, were initially announcedback in Mayas “coming to.” In contrast, today, Microsoft reports that they are now available (the one exception being South Korea, which is due later this fall).
Besides market expansion, Microsoft is also taking the time to highlight some real-world usage and results from companies that have adopted HoloLens 2 into their production and manufacturing process. These case-studies are essential as they demonstrate that mixed reality is more than just some cool tech; it can save time, money, and effort.
Some of the highlights from the press announcementinclude Lockheed Martin, who have been using HoloLens since 2017:
Lockheed Martin/NASA, United States
Leveraging a solution from mixed reality partner Scope AR, Lockheed Martin is using HoloLens 2 to build the Orion spacecraft, which will take astronauts back to the moon. The benefits that they have realized using mixed reality are significant:
Medivis, United States
Medivis, a Microsoft mixed reality partner, is using their SurgicalAR solution for 3D holographic visualizations (versus CT scans) to enable surgeons to perform routine procedures in an inherently superior way. To date, Medivis has:
Case Western Reserve University, United States
Case Western Reserve University is running a remote learning program using their HoloAnatomy solution and HoloLens 2 to help students more effectively learn and retain knowledge:
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Finally, Microsoft also announced that Azure Object Anchors, which is part of the broader Azure mixed reality services, is now available as a private preview. Azure Object Anchors lets developers add physical markers, allowing applications to align 3D content to real-world objects.
Toyota is currently using the technology with HoloLens 2, and Koichi Kayano, Program Manager Technical Service Division at Toyota, gave the following statement to Microsoft:
“Azure Object Anchors enables our technicians to service vehicles more quickly and accurately thanks to markerless and dynamic 3D model alignment. It has removed our need for QR codes and eliminated the risk of error from manual model alignment, thus making our maintenance procedures more efficient.”
The momentum for HoloLens 2, at least in private enterprise, seems to be growing. Back in May, Microsoft announced the availability of a5G/LTE donglefor the mixed reality headset for companies that want to go mobile. In June, HoloLens 2went on sale directlyin the Microsoft Store for $3,500, letting anyone order one.
Mixed Reality for Microsoft is still years from"replacing every screen,", but it is clear the path is being forged today.
HoloLens, but better
HoloLens 2 takes everything that made the original great and turns it up to 11. With a new carbon-fiber body, extra padding, eye tracking, and a wider field of view, the headset should have no problem finding success among developers and first-line workers.
Daniel Rubino is the Editor-in-chief of Windows Central. He is also the head reviewer,podcast co-host, and analyst. He has been covering Microsoft since 2007, when this site was called WMExperts (and later Windows Phone Central). His interests include Windows, laptops, next-gen computing, and watches. He has been reviewing laptops since 2015 and is particularly fond of 2-in-1 convertibles, ARM processors, new form factors, and thin-and-light PCs. Before all this tech stuff, he worked on a Ph.D. in linguistics, watched people sleep (for medical purposes!), and ran the projectors at movie theaters because it was fun.
