Written by Yiling 2022 Cohort
Two weeks ago, in the team communication skills class, Jason introduced us to a piece of technology that I had heard about before but never taken the time to explore – HoloLens. It is an MR (mixed reality) headset that allows people to look through transparent lenses and interact with virtual objects in real space. It is a unique experience which drives me to learn more about HoloLens and mixed reality technology.
HoloLens was developed and manufactured by Microsoft and first shipped on March 30, 2016, as a pre-production version. At this point, the target customers of HoloLens are hobbyists, developers, and corporations, and they have to re-order it in North America for $3000 dollars.
Why is it so special?
For starters, the fact that a company as big as Microsoft is the biggest supporter of this tech proves that it will eventually take off. Unlike VR, which builds an entire world where players/users get to interact with their surroundings in such an immersive way, and unlike AR, which displays digital content in our real world in a way that helps us blend the virtual world with our own, MR overcomes all that and displays digital content that can interact with our surroundings that update in real-time. Also, Microsoft invested lots of resources in this field, and it shows where they think the technology trend is going. Mixed Reality is considered the most powerful piece to take place in smartphones in the future because it is compatible with many occasions. Instead of a VR headset, HoloLens can help people finish their work and learn more practical skills in real life. For example, doctors may use it for surgery by receiving real-time guidance and data, which will boost efficiency and accuracy.
But what’s the catch?
Even though HoloLens has two releases – HoloLens 1 and 2, it is still the first generation of this technology. This is why it is called the “development edition” when you purchase it, but it is evident that Microsoft is still trying to push it to the public to increase the utility of the HoloLens by developing apps and programs that innovatively mesh augmented reality with our world. Not to mention the high price tag that not everybody can afford (including myself.) And as with most emerging tech, there is not much to do with it yet. After trying it personally, I discovered some flaws, like the narrow FOV (field of view) and some hand motions that felt slightly clunky.