Congress Blocks Purchase of New Microsoft Combat Goggles

A new version will aim to solve the problems of headaches, eyestrain and nausea.

The US government reportedly backed out of buying more HoloLens-based AR combat glasses from Microsoft after it discovered that the current version had some issues to fix, according to Bloomberg. So instead of ordering more of the current model, the government approved $40 million for Microsoft to develop a new version.

The updated combat eyewear will meet last year's test results when 70 soldiers wore the current version during three 72-hour scenarios simulating combat conditions. The results showed that the soldiers suffered from "headaches, eye strain and nausea" and that the system had too many "critical function failures". Additionally, more than 80% of soldiers who reported discomfort began to feel it within three hours of the 72-hour test.

The military originally asked for $400 million to buy up to 6,900 pairs of glasses under the $1.750 billion government funding bill. Instead, Congress approved $40 million of that sum to develop the new version. The military has already given Microsoft $125 million to create a revised model, and it still plans to spend up to $21.9 billion over the next decade on as many as 121,000 devices.

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DoD contract significantly boosts Microsoft's ability to leverage its AR device . Prior to working with the DoD, the company marketed the helmet for corporate manufacturing, training, and other industrial purposes. Although Microsoft has hinted at a possible consumer version of HoloLens, the company has yet to announce any details - and its plans are more hazy after the company reportedly struggled to come up with a cohesive strategy for its headset. /p>

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