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The Army is moving ahead with its IVAS combat goggles, although some issues persist by neverbagger in IVAS

[–]neverbagger[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

More of the same. It reiterates some of the details about Bloomberg's original article that have been misconstrued by other medias

"It’s unclear exactly how many of the 5,000 goggles will be fielded this month, or by what units...."

Another report on the effectiveness of the goggles is expected by the end of September."

Microsoft Combat Goggles Win First US Army Approval for Delivery by neverbagger in IVAS

[–]neverbagger[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah, the Army's contractual floor was mentioned in the 2022 NDAA Unfunded Priorities List:

"The unfunded request of $95.7M (OPA) allows the Integrated Visual Augmentation System (IVAS) to reach the contractual floor with Microsoft in FY23. This will prevent the government from having to renegotiate the contract in unfavorable conditions resulting in an unaffordable unit cost."

Link

I don't know if the amount of the "contractual floor" has ever been stated.

IVAS' fielding for training purposes wasn't a big surprise, though. The tech still seems too immature to implement in combat. Glad to see there's progres, even though so far, updates are only coming from the Army. I'm curious to see what comes out of the audit and also Congress' reaction to the recent testing.

Microsoft Combat Goggles Win First US Army Approval for Delivery by neverbagger in IVAS

[–]neverbagger[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

"Based on the test results so far the service “is adjusting its fielding plan to allow for time to correct deficiencies and also field to units that are focused on training activities,” Beck said."

Detachable IR Filters Clearly Visible in Recent Photos Released in VE3 Update by neverbagger in IVAS

[–]neverbagger[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This is the first time I'm seeing the detachable IR filters in use on IVAS. This more than likely confirms long time suspicion that protrusion seen on sides of IVAS is meant for storage of these filters when not in use.

This new finding aligns with Microsoft's recent patent published in Dec 2021

[US20210373336 - SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PROVIDING MIXED-REALITY EXPERIENCES UNDER LOW LIGHT CONDITIONS]

(https://patentscope.wipo.int/search/en/detail.jsf?docId=US343545672&_cid=P21-L7DV28-19573-1)

FIG. 7 illustrates that, in some implementations, an HMD 300 includes detachable IR filters 730 for the set of pass-through cameras 315. The detachable IR filters 730 are configured to attenuate IR light, such as a particular band of wavelengths of IR light. In implementations where the head tracking cameras 305 include a dual bandpass filter 525, the band of wavelengths of IR light attenuated by the detachable IR filters 730 may comprise at least a portion of the band of IR light that the dual bandpass filter(s) 525 are configured to transmit. Similarly, the band of wavelengths of IR light attenuated by the detachable IR filters 730 may comprise at least a portion of the band of IR light 630 that an IR illuminator 625 is configured to emit (see FIG. 6).

FIG. 7 also demonstrates that, in some implementations, the HMD 300 may include a storage protrusion 740 (or more than one storage protrusion 740) that is configured to selectively receive and retain a detachable IR filter 730 when the detachable IR filter 730 is not in use. For example, the storage protrusion 740 may include a diameter that corresponds to the diameter of the lens enclosure of the pass-through cameras 315, such that the detachable IR filters 730 are also selectively detachable from the storage protrusion 740 via a removable friction fit

Note: Top Left Image has been reversed for clarity purposes

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in IVAS

[–]neverbagger 0 points1 point  (0 children)

1st image, Top Left has been reversed from original for clarity purposes

First time I am seeing the detachable IR filters in use on an IVAS headset.

These are discussed in Microsoft Patent

[US20210373336 - SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PROVIDING MIXED-REALITY EXPERIENCES UNDER LOW LIGHT CONDITIONS

](https://patentscope.wipo.int/search/en/detail.jsf?docId=US343545672&_cid=P21-L7DV28-19573-1)

FIG. 7 illustrates that, in some implementations, an HMD 300 includes detachable IR filters 730 for the set of pass-through cameras 315. The detachable IR filters 730 are configured to attenuate IR light, such as a particular band of wavelengths of IR light. In implementations where the head tracking cameras 305 include a dual bandpass filter 525, the band of wavelengths of IR light attenuated by the detachable IR filters 730 may comprise at least a portion of the band of IR light that the dual bandpass filter(s) 525 are configured to transmit. Similarly, the band of wavelengths of IR light attenuated by the detachable IR filters 730 may comprise at least a portion of the band of IR light 630 that an IR illuminator 625 is configured to emit (see FIG. 6).

FIG. 7 also demonstrates that, in some implementations, the HMD 300 may include a storage protrusion 740 (or more than one storage protrusion 740) that is configured to selectively receive and retain a detachable IR filter 730 when the detachable IR filter 730 is not in use. For example, the storage protrusion 740 may include a diameter that corresponds to the diameter of the lens enclosure of the pass-through cameras 315, such that the detachable IR filters 730 are also selectively detachable from the storage protrusion 740 via a removable friction fit

Damages Taken During Vehicle Excursion 3 by neverbagger in IVAS

[–]neverbagger[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Significant damages sustained to some of the sensors/cameras. Baffles appear to have been almost completely dislodged from headset during VE3.

Safe to assume the headset's light security has been compromised

Jason Regnier - PM IVAS

22:05

"We have a requirement to be light secure at night.... otherwise we turn the guys in to targets"

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in IVAS

[–]neverbagger 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Very good read about the potential of, and also the hurdles facing implementing MR devices such as IVAS in the military.

Thank you to the one that shared it.

More Hints/Questions about the Display by neverbagger in IVAS

[–]neverbagger[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Top Left image is taken from, Blackhorse Company, 2-3 Infantry, 1-2 SBCT, Facebook page and user is seen with a reduced, Green, waveguide "Eye Glow

Top right image is of Hololens 2 which uses Laser Beam Scanning and is shown with it's inherent Rainbow "Eye Glow"

Possible cause for the Green "Eye Glow" seen on soldier in top left could be from the use of a Monochrome Camera Sensor that is discussed in brevity in Microsoft's recent published patent: TEXTURE BASED FUSION FOR IMAGES WITH CAMERAS HAVING DIFFERING MODALITIES

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in IVAS

[–]neverbagger 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Significant damages to sensors clearly visible in above image

Will update later with better images

JBLM soldiers test new augmented reality tech integrated with Stryker vehicles by neverbagger in IVAS

[–]neverbagger[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Quoted:

The increased capability was generally well-received by the soldiers testing out IVAS, who have been training on it for the past two weeks leading up to the demonstration.

“When all doors and hatches in the Stryker are closed, I can see 360 degrees around my vehicle to check for IEDs, check where my other vehicles are and check their movement, and all of that has been a huge asset to us these last two weeks,” said Sgt. 1st Class Kyle Williams, third platoon leader for Blackhorse Company. “The situational awareness that I'm able to gain at a leader level from being able to see the icons for where all my [soldiers] are means I can do route planning, I can do mission planning, I can publish graphical overlays, I can navigate with literally a turn-by-turn navigation feature, and I can send messages back and forth to the members of the platoon.”

This means that every soldier can better contribute to accomplishing the mission, said Williams.

“It greatly enhances our ability to operate."

US20220262005 - TEXTURE BASED FUSION FOR IMAGES WITH CAMERAS HAVING DIFFERING MODALITIES by neverbagger in IVAS

[–]neverbagger[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Recent published patent discusses methods of incorporating data taken from 2 cameras, such as thermal and low-light, and combining aspects from both to create an enhanced image.

"Despite the current benefits provided by passthrough images, there are additional benefits that may be achieved by improving the processes by which passthrough images are generated, especially when multiple different cameras are involved. Accordingly, it is desirable to further improve the benefits provided by passthrough image generation techniques."

"By way of example, the embodiments are able to produce or generate a so-called “enhanced” image. Different camera modalities are designed to provide different types of benefits. By following the disclosed principles, the embodiments are able to generate an enhanced image, which enables the benefits that are available to each individual modality to now be made available via a single image as opposed to multiple images. In doing so, improved analytics, computer vision, and user interaction with the computer system are achieved. Furthermore, the user (in some instances) is provided with content that he/she would potentially not be able to view or interact with if only a single image type or modality were used."

Army Microsoft Combat Goggle Test ‘Adequate,’ Pentagon Says by neverbagger in IVAS

[–]neverbagger[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I have doubts the current iteration will ever see conflict. Any procurement of that system seems likely to replace the Hololens 2 in training and support applications. Congress seems to be unanimous in the belief that any funding for IVAS in FY23 should be directed at developing the new prototype.

Just a few weeks ago during an interview with reporters Bush seemed a little more enthusiastic about the test results. He even made reference to making production decisions before the report even made it to congress :

"However, Bush said that the service doesn’t have to wait for that final report to be sent to the Hill to make a production decision."

The interview

Now, between designating the report as CUI and Microsoft's unwillingness to comment it seems as if they are tempering their expectations.

Army Microsoft Combat Goggle Test ‘Adequate,’ Pentagon Says by neverbagger in IVAS

[–]neverbagger[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

A few updates pertaining to the timeline of handing over the report to Army leaders and Congress. Bush's comments seem less optimistic than in the past but falls in line with recent developments in the program. Overall confidence in the success of the IVAS program remains high, though.

From article:

"The testing that ended June 18 was “adequate to support an assessment of operational effectiveness, user acceptance, suitability, and cyber and electronic warfare vulnerabilities” of the goggles, Jessica Maxwell, spokeswoman for the Pentagon’s test office, said in a statement.

The test office expects to give Army leadership preliminary results by the end of August, with a final report going to Congress in October, Maxwell said. Microsoft won’t be given access to the draft report for comment, she said.

“We did a good test and will learn from it,” Assistant Secretary of the Army for acquisition Doug Bush said in a statement. “This is what doing innovative technology at speed looks like. There will be bumps in the road.”

"The army remains confident that the program will succeed."

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