Archive — US — techcrunch
In a victory for Palmer Luckey, Meta and Anduril work on mixed reality headsetsfor the military
Meta and Anduril have partnered to develop mixed reality headsets for the U.S. military, aimed at enhancing soldier capabilities. This collaboration, tied to the Soldier Borne Mission Command Next program, comes after Anduril took over the contract from Microsoft, originally awarded for AR glasses. The products, named EagleEye, will use Meta's AR/VR tech and AI for real-time battlefield intelligence.
Key points
- 1. Partnership announced between Meta and Anduril to create XR devices for the U.S. military.
- 2. Led by Palmer Luckey, this collaboration aims to enhance soldier capabilities with mixed reality tech.
- 3. Originates from the SBMC program, succeeding the IVAS program that faced issues under Microsoft.
- 4. Microsoft retained as a cloud service provider while Anduril takes over management.
- 5. EagleEye will utilize Meta's AR/VR tech and Anduril's Lattice software for real-time soldier support.
- 6. Luckey aims to reconcile his past with Meta after being fired in 2017.
Why it matters
- 1. Reflects a shift in U.S. military procurement to engage multiple suppliers for advanced tech.
- 2. Aligns with trends towards using AI and XR in military applications, enhancing operational efficiency.
- 3. Signifies an evolving defense tech landscape where private companies like Anduril gain significant roles.
- 4. Links to historical tensions in tech and politics, showcasing the impact of personal and corporate relationships.
The partnership between Meta and Anduril marks a significant step in military technology, indicating both industry collaboration and a personal reconciliation for Luckey, setting the stage for innovative advancements in soldier capabilities.