Skip to main content

HoloLens goes to the International Space Station in new video from NASA

Back in December, Microsoft and NASA revealed they would be collaborating on a side project devised with the intent of sending HoloLens to the International Space Station. Now that idea has made its way to fruition, according to WinBeta, which spotted and reported on the above video earlier today.

Dubbed Project Sidekick, the intent of the undertaking was to “make the lives of astronauts easier and safer by reducing the risk of human error when dealing with sensitive depression,” WinBeta reports.

Recommended Videos

Apparently, it accomplishes this by introducing two distinct modes to the mixed-reality headset: Remote Expert Mode, which allows astronauts to get advice from an expert over Skype; and Procedure Mode, which projects a holographic overlay interface to “make instructions crystal clear” for astronauts dealing with “sensitive equipment.”

NASA had been testing HoloLens in its NEEMO underwater habitat since July 2015 in preparation for sending it to an actual space station due to its similarities. In June, however, two HoloLens units were destroyed in a SpaceX incident, which apparently caused for some delay in Project Sidekick.

As depicted in the video, it’s clear why the applications in question could be substantially helpful tools for astronauts seeking assistance. There’s footage of an expert plotting out some instructions on a Surface tablet, an astronaut using it as some sort of 3D-camera utility, and even some positive remarks from a NASA representative towards the end:

“We messed around with it for like two hours and immediately I said, ‘This is a capability we could use right now.'”

Overall, this collaboration appears to be a brilliant way for Microsoft to market HoloLens’ suitability as a productivity device in addition to providing NASA with some handy tools to improve its research. Clearly, it’s a win-win.

Unfortunately, HoloLens could come as a tough sell to your average consumer. After revealing the $3,000 price tag attached to its developer kits last month, it’s still uncertain who the HoloLens is being made for.

Is it exclusively for weighty organizations like NASA or is there a more approachable audience in mind? Rest assured, we’ll find out soon enough.

Gabe Carey
A freelancer for Digital Trends, Gabe Carey has been covering the intersection of video games and technology since he was 16…
The robot takeover comes another step closer — at Amazon
An Amazon robot working inside one of the company's warehouses.

Amazon is close to having more robots operating inside its warehouses than humans after the e-commerce giant announced this week that it now has more than a million robots working at its facilities around the world.

Over the years, Amazon has spent billions of dollars on the development and deployment of warehouse-based robots, which handle an array of tasks once performed by human workers.

Read more
This Lenovo ThinkPad laptop is over $1,400 off — hurry while stocks last!
The Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 5 Intel laptop on a white background.

Now's an excellent time to take advantage of laptop deals from Lenovo, which has slashed the prices of a wide range of devices for its Black Friday in July sale. Lenovo's ThinkPad laptops are up to 45% off, and here's one of the most interesting offers available with such a discount — the Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 5 at $1,440 off its estimated value of $3,199, so you'll only have to pay $1,759. That's an excellent price for this fantastic productivity tool, but you're going to have to push forward with your purchase as soon as possible because stocks may run out at any moment.

BUY NOW

Read more
Early Prime Day deal: Samsung’s 27-inch Odyssey G3 at its annual low price
Samsung Odyssey G3 gaming monitor on desk with keyboard and headset.

If you're ready to upgrade your monitor, this Samsung deal over at Amazon just might be your best bet. The 27-inch version of Samsung's Odyssey G3 is $130 right now, a full $100 off its regular $230 price and its lowest price of the year. It's a part of early Prime Day deals and a good sampling of what we can expect for the shopping holiday, which officially lands on July 8th. Tap the button below to see it for yourself or keep reading to see why we like this deal and why this should be your next monitor.

Buy Now

Read more