Microsoft has announced a contract with the US military worth nearly $ 22 billion to produce augmented reality earphones.
Augmented reality, or RA, is a technology that uses glasses project computer-created images and information that add to what users see in the real physical world.
The deal was announced Wednesday. Microsoft would supply at least 120,000 cash with the devices.
Military officials said the technology will improve soldiers’ ability to see their surroundings and identify targets and danger. The technology is based on Microsoft’s HoloLens headphones, which were designed for video games.
The military said the headphones could be used for both training and battle. The army said the AR system could help troops gain control during battle. The soldiers tried first appliances last year.
The contract is worth up to $ 21.88 billion over ten years, Microsoft said. The agreement has a duration of five years and can be extended for five more.
Microsoft President Brad Smith spoke about this technology to the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee in February. He said soldiers could use the system to see at night and for facial recognition on the battlefield. He also described how he could help in hostage situations by creating an electronic representation of a building, which he called “digital twin“.
Several technology companies have tried to use augmented reality for video games. These 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 help doctors during medical operations, factory equipment and others. Users can often control what they see on the device with hand movements or voice commands.
The agreement with the headphones is part of Microsoft’s defense work contractor. The military also awarded Microsoft a $ 10 billion cloud computing contract in September.
I’m Mario Ritter, Jr.
Matt O’Brien reported this story to The Associated Press. Dan Novak adapted it for VOA Learning English. Mario Ritter Jr. he was the editor.
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Words in this story
earphones– n. (augmented reality): a device that is carried in the head and uses computer technology to produce images and information that is added to what the wearer can see in the real world
project–v. make appear (light, an image, a film, etc.) on a surface
gadget–n. a small and useful device
digital–adj. using or characterized by computer technology
twin–n. either one of two similar things that form a pair
contractor–n. a person who is hired to perform work or to supply goods at a certain price or at a certain time
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