Microsoft HoloLens, Windows 10

Microsoft HoloLens, Windows 10

Introduction to Hologram

Hologram is made of light which have no mass because it is not made with any physical matter. It is just like any other objects. It can viewed at any angle and distances just like any other physical objects. Hologram are two dimensional like a television screen  or three dimensional like objects present in the real world. By using hologram, it is possible to interact with them.

Microsoft Hololens- Windows 10 Holographic Computing

Windows Holographic is an Augmented Reality (AR) computing platform that uses Holograms which is created by Microsoft. It is a three dimensional application which can view along with Microsoft Hololens. It is the first holographic computer running on Windows 10. Windows 10 is the first platform that supports holographic computing which enables voice, gesture, gaze interaction. It is completely untethered .It does not require any wires, cords, and no need to connect to PC or phones etc. Microsoft Hololens is transparent. It is adjustable and easy to fit in adult head. It is light weight. This allows the hologram in the physical environment and can even see the real world.

Microsoft HoloLens combines the real world with virtual world. They are wearable which consists of powerful camera for sensing and creating images, advanced sensors, three dimension optical head mounted display which allows augmented display (AR), etc. With the help of these elements a user can interact by using gesture, gaze, voice etc.  It does not require a mouse or touch for click. The Microsoft Hololens can understand the hand gestures, movements of eyes, voice etc. It helps for the interaction between the real world and virtual world. Microsoft HoloLens project the images to the physical objects present in the real world or to the midair. This is a new interface between user and system. It is fast and secure. Research are going on  to develop more features.

The main interaction with the Microsoft HoloLens by gestures, Voice, Gaze.etc

• Gesture: - The movements of hand help to interact with the HoloLens. A feature called “holding” which allows manipulates holographic objects by holding the fingers. By opening the hand shows the home screen.
• Voice:-Another way to interact with the HoloLens is vocal communication. Microsoft HoloLens consist of microphones. This  captures the voice command given by the user.  
• Gaze: - The user can interact with the HoloLens by vision. The Device consists of advanced sensors which help to track the eye movement of the user.

There are two types of reality such as Augmented Reality(AR) and Virtual Reality(VR).

Augmented Reality (AR):- In this, the informations generated by sensor inputs of computer  such as voice, video etc. It is direct or indirect view of real world.

Virtual Reality (VR):- It is a computer simulated experiment. It can simulate the real word as well as virtual world. It can create virtual taste, virtual smell etc.

                                Microsoft Hololens- Windows 10 Holographic Computer

It consists of visor glasses which can adjust up and down or forward or backward direction by adjusting the inner head band. Visor glasses are electronic devices which looks like conventional glasses which gives an impression that they are surrounded by the computer generated environment  that the user viewing. It gives a three dimensional view. There is an adjustment wheel at the back of headband. It helps the device to fit in the users head and supports the weight.

It has powerful sensors which can sense every action and perform according to the user interaction. A powerful camera having field vision of 120*120 which can sense and create images .Along with that a photographic video camera, microphone array and Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) are also placed on the device.

This Windows 10 based technology consists of 3 processors.Thet are :-

• Central Processing Unit (CPU)
• Graphical Processing Unit (GPU)
• Holographic Processing Unit (HPU)

The Holographic Processing Unit is the co processor by Microsoft which can process and integrates terabytes of information in real time that comes from the various sensors. It handles the processing of recognition of gaze, gesture, voice interactions. It doesn’t require external cameras, sensors or connection to phone or PC. Microsoft doesn’t reveal much information about the Holographic Processing Unit (HPU). The small red stereo speakers are placed nearer to the user’s ears which allow hearing the virtual sounds along with real world. There are two buttons placed above the left ear and right ear. Display brightness button is placed above the left ear and volume button placed above the right ear. One button has concave shape and the other have convex shape which helps the user to distinguish between the buttons by touch. There are five LEDs and power button which is used to indicate the status of the system and the battery level. It is also possible to set power/standby mode. A micro USB which allows charging and connection is also placed on the device.

Applications of Microsoft Hololens

Design and Develop the models :-  By using the Microsoft HoloLens ,the engineers ,architects and executives can virtually develop the future building, or any three dimensional model  according to the needs of the client . But in real world there is no physical matter. This technology will give a complete idea about the three dimension model. The figure illustrates a three dimensional model of bike projected in the real world environment using Microsoft Hololens.

                                          Application of Microsoft Hololens

Three dimensional objects can create within minutes by using powerful tools such as HoloStudio. HoloStudio is a three dimensional modeling application which produces the output of three dimensional printers. It allows the users to build holograms. It is possible to zoom in and zoom out the images. This technology can use instead of using computer aided softwares such as CAD(Computer  Aided Design),CAM(Computer Aided Manufacturing) etc.

                           Application of Microsoft Hololens Windows 10 Holographic Computer

It is possible to see the other world with the 3D objects like the Hollywood movies such as “Minority Report, Star Trek”. Microsoft combines the virtual world images with the real world. One who sitting in the living room can see and analyze the different world from every angle by using these virtual images. The below figure shows the image of MARS projected on the plain surface. It is easier to analyze and examine the image. It is possible to walk and interact with the projected image which helps the scientist to analyze the geographical features. OnSite is the software tool developed with NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) for this purposes.

                          Application of Microsoft Hololens Windows 10 Holographic Computer

It is possible to sharing ideas and instructions with the aid of this technology. Skype telecommunication is an example. HoloLens project the images into the surrounding objects. The person can communicate with the other person without sitting in one place. They can walk while talking. It is not mandatory that both person need Microsoft HoloLens. Either one of them wear the HoloLens can view the other person. This is illustrated in the below figure.

                            Application of Microsoft Hololens Windows 10 Holographic Computer

Microsoft Hololens technology can used for gaming applications. HoloBuilder is a demonstration inspired by videogame which shown in figure given below.

                                         Application of Microsoft Hololens Windows 10 Holographic Computer

Other Technologies 

• Google Glass is a wearable technology which consists of Optical Head Mounted Display (OHMD) which displays the information like smart phone. It can recognize voice commands. So it is possible communicate with natural voice commands. It displays the information of google search in the glass. This technology is entirely different from Microsoft HoloLens.
• Some other technologies are Morpheus (Sony’s project), Vive (HTC), Samsung Gear VR, etc. Research are going on to develop new devices with better features.