Saab Australia developing training applications for HoloLens

Defence and security company Saab Australia has teamed up with Microsoft to build a range of training and education applications for Microsoft’s HoloLens 3D holographic platform.

HoloLens is a self-contained, high-end computer worn as goggles. Holographic images are projected onto the goggles’ optical lens and appear in the field of vision about 1 metre from a user’s eye.

Adelaide-based Saab Australia’s training and simulation team has already been working on a range of civil and military applications for HoloLens in training, simulation and education.

The company’s head of training and simulation, Inger Lawes, said the HoloLens applications will be ideally suited to supporting long-distance applications. Saab plans to build applications that allow self-contained education packages to be deployed on the HoloLens goggles, which can then be sent to trainees or students in remote areas.

“What is really neat is that each of these paired HoloLenses can talk to other HoloLenses so they do end up talking to each other,” Lawes said.

“At the moment the computer-based training that’s delivered is fantastic, but the children still miss that very direct and personal human contact that HoloLens can offer. When Microsoft talk about transforming the world with this device it’s a lofty ambition but I can see education being transformed.”

Saab Australia is also looking to develop HoloLens applications to support training that can be undertaken in very hazardous environments, such as de-mining operations in current and former war zones.

The company will also work to develop HoloLens applications to support a number of civil and defence sectors including advanced manufacturing.

Image courtesy of Saab Australia.