Anduril Industries, a notable player in defense technology, has unveiled its ambitious plans for developing augmented reality (AR) headsets for military use in collaboration with Meta. This cutting-edge project aims to integrate advanced features such as eye-tracking and voice commands, enabling soldiers to execute drone strikes directly through their visual interface. Quay Barnett, the vice president at Anduril leading this initiative, envisions a future where soldiers and drones operate in unison, sharing real-time data and making collaborative decisions as a cohesive unit. This approach is reminiscent of cyborg technology, emphasizing the optimization of human capabilities alongside advanced weaponry.
Currently, Anduril is working on two distinct projects. The first, known as Soldier Born Mission Command (SBMC), has received a million-dollar prototyping contract from the Army to develop AR glasses that can be affixed to existing military helmets. The second initiative, dubbed EagleEye, is a self-funded venture aimed at creating a comprehensive helmet and headset system, which Anduril believes the military will ultimately prefer despite it being unsolicited. Both systems are still in the early stages of development, with the Army not expected to finalize production choices for SBMC until several years from now. Previously, Microsoft lost its billion-dollar contract for a similar project due to the glasses failing to meet operational standards.
The anticipated AR glasses will overlay crucial information onto a soldier’s field of view, ranging from basic navigational tools like compasses to detailed maps and AI-assisted target recognition. Soldiers can interact with the system using natural language, allowing them to issue commands for evacuation or route planning without needing extensive technical training. Anduril is currently testing large language models from various tech companies to refine this command interface. Their proprietary software, Lattice, will integrate data from diverse military assets, creating a comprehensive operational picture. While the technology is promising, experts like Jonathan Wong from RAND stress the importance of ensuring that these devices do not overwhelm users with information. The goal is to streamline data presentation, enhancing situational awareness without adding cognitive burden. If successful, these innovations could significantly transform how military personnel engage with technology in combat scenarios.
Source: Inside Anduril and Meta’s quest to make smart glasses for warfare via MIT Technology Review