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3mo ago

Anduril to Take Over $22 Billion US Army AR Headset Program from Microsoft

Palmer Luckey's defense startup aims to address longstanding issues with the IVAS system, pending Department of Defense approval.

An image about Palmer Luckey-founded Anduril inks huge US Army deal: 'turning soldiers into superheroes'
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Signage for Anduril is seen during the Association of the United States Army annual meeting and exposition at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, U.S., October 14, 2024. REUTERS/Nathan Howard/File Photo
Palmer Luckey's firm Anduril is taking over Microsoft's $22 billion contract to make mixed-reality goggles for the US Army.

Overview

  • Microsoft is handing over its troubled Integrated Visual Augmentation System (IVAS) program to Anduril Industries, led by Oculus founder Palmer Luckey.
  • The IVAS program, initially based on Microsoft's HoloLens technology, faced delays and criticism due to soldier discomfort, visibility risks, and high costs.
  • Anduril will oversee production, hardware and software development, and delivery timelines, while Microsoft shifts its focus to providing cloud and AI support via Azure.
  • The Department of Defense must approve the transition, which is seen as a critical step to revitalize the $22 billion program intended to enhance soldier situational awareness.
  • Palmer Luckey described the project as deeply personal and envisions transforming soldiers' capabilities with advanced augmented reality technology.