Microsoft's big news from Mobile World Congress 2019 was the reveal of HoloLens 2, but it also had an interesting announcement for companies adopting the tech for the workplace. The new HoloLens Customization Program will help businesses and customers customize the HoloLens 2 to fit their needs in the workplace.
From Microsoft's blog post:
HoloLens is being used in a variety of challenging environments, from construction sites and operating rooms to the International Space Station. HoloLens has passed the basic impact tests from several protective eyewear standards used in North America and Europe. It has been tested and found to conform to the basic impact protection requirements of ANSI Z87.1, CSA Z94.3 and EN 166. With HoloLens 2 we're introducing the Microsoft HoloLens Customization Program to enable customers and partners to customize HoloLens 2 to fit their environmental needs.
According to Microsoft, the first company to take advantage of the program was Trimble, which now uses a hard hat solution connected to HoloLens for added safety for its workers in the field. Workers can now safely use HoloLens to get their work done with a hard hat that conforms to the headset.
HoloLens 2, which adds a number of improvements like eye tracking, more padding, and a new carbon fiber design, is currently available for preorder for $3,500 at Microsoft (opens in new tab). Units are expected to begin shipping later this year.
HoloLens, but better.
HoloLens 2 takes everything that made the original great and turns it up to 11. With a new carbon fiber body, extra padding, eye tracking, and a wider field of view, the headset should have no problem finding success among developers and firstline workers.
