Microsoft HoloLens. Microsoft recently announced an academic research proposal request for the further development of mixed reality technology through its HoloLens platform. Microsoft will award five non-profit research laboratories with $100,000 and two labs with HoloLens development kits for one year towards the realization of project proposals. (via Microsoft)
Microsoft blew gamers away at the Los Angeles Convention Center last month when it unveiled its HoloLens program. The new technology uses a lightweight headset with see-through lenses to create a mixed reality for users by dressing up reality with 3D holograms. In an interactive display of its capabilities, users saw the convention center become a Halo stage before their eyes. Microsoft, however, isn’t satisfied with only exploiting mixed reality for gaming and called all research laboratories to submit their own proposals of their vision for the technology.
The “Academic Research Request for Proposals” asks non-profit research laboratories of accredited universities and independent non-profit research labs to submit a complete, detailed proposal of its vision for the future of mixed reality by September 5, 2015. Microsoft asks that labs only submit proposals if they are capable of carrying out the project, as the prize money will be a fund for beginning or complementing ongoing mixed reality research. Microsoft also stated it preferred submissions from cross-disciplinary studies with alternative funding resources, as prizes will only fund one year of research, up to $100,000.
While many think of mixed and augmented reality technologies in relation to gaming, its capabilities go far beyond enhancing gaming graphics. Medical professionals could greatly benefit from the ability to use mixed reality when studying assays, anatomy, pathogens and more. Analysts from any sector could report data visually with access to the technology. Additionally, media would never be the same if news and other outlets could visually demonstrate stories. Microsoft hopes its proposal will incentivize labs with the capabilities to carry out such research to do so.
Some, however, have questioned the supply of laboratories with the capabilities to research the technology - and wonder if Microsoft is only catering to the large research labs that could explore the future of mixed reality, with or without Microsoft’s help. What about smaller labs that have just as much intellectual power, but have no means? It seems that for this reason, Microsoft opened its proposal to all non-profit research labs. Any lab that has the desire and capabilities to pursue mixed reality technology is welcome to apply, and should. One would be hard pressed to claim Bill Gates is only in it for the money. A smaller lab might even have luck acquiring additional funding from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation itself. The resources are out there for anyone that has enough will power to find them. Every lab had to start somewhere. Even MIT was once just a dream.
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