“So far, augmented reality hasn’t worked outdoors or in dynamic environments,” Dan Robinson, founder and CEO of Red 6 said. “It does now.”
For the past three years, California-based company Red 6 has worked closely with the Air Force to mature its Airborne Tactical Augmented Reality System (ATARS) to enable pilots flying real fighters to see projections of other aircrafts through their helmet visors. In this article, DefenseNews distinguishes that whereas in virtual reality everything that the user sees is simulated through a headset, augmented reality superimposes simulated images over the real world.
The end strategic goal? Red 6’s augmented reality technology could solve one of the Air Force’s longstanding requirements for cost-effective “red air” training that gives fighter pilots experience in close-quarters aerial combat. There are still some hoops to jump through to get funding from lawmakers including the Senate Armed Services Committee, who need proof that the technology works and latency.
More information on augmented reality and emerging technologies can be found on GovShop, a free supplier and contract intelligence platform that provides comprehensive data across all markets. As part of the ongoing effort of Public Spend Forum to connect buyers and suppliers in emerging technology fields, GovShop’s list of suppliers in augmented reality and virtual reality is accessible here.
