HoloLens 2 arrives in Brazil improving the experience with mixed reality

Developed by the tech giant Microsoft, HoloLens 2 is a mixed reality device — which adds holographic projections to the environment — that was launched today in Brazil. This device will help professionals in areas such as education, health and engineering to improve their interactions during work. The ease that mixed reality offers reduces the need to move around and increases interaction between professionals when displaying information, especially when there is a need to do some practical display. Understand better about the device and its functions.

Possibilities with HoloLens 2

When using HoloLens 2 the user has their hands free to interact with the mixed reality, adding virtual elements that adapt as if they were real elements. Possibilities to rotate, zoom and even follow the projections as if they were really there can happen. Other ways to work with this device include built-in voice commands, eye tracking and spatial location mapping. See Microsoft's description of the possibilities offered:

• hand tracking: With fully articulated hand tracking, touch, hold and move holograms in ways that feel natural. The device adapts to your hands, so the holograms respond like real objects;
• voice enabled: Built-in voice commands allow users to quickly navigate and operate it when their hands are busy with a task;
• eye tracking: HoloLens 2 understands exactly where you're looking, so it understands your intent and adapts the holograms to your eyes in real time;
• Spatial Mapping: Seamlessly map your physical environment and allow digital content to be based on objects or surfaces wherever you are;
• wide field of view: See twice the field of view of the original HoloLens. Read 8-point font on a holographic website, have precise interactions with holograms, and create and immerse yourself in mixed reality.

The President of Microsoft Brazil, Tania Cosentino, was also present at the event. Tânia opened by citing the research Microsoft More Brazil and how the company has been analyzing how to accelerate technology investments to help the country's economic recovery. She also reported on how Microsoft has already trained more than a million people in the technology market and brought a hook on how the novelty will create new day-to-day working conditions.

Working with mixed reality

The main use of HoloLens 2 is in being a work tool. There are several possibilities to use this device to help workers. Marcondes Farias, director of business applications and HoloLens at Microsoft Brazil, also spoke a little about how many companies work with mixed reality and the attempt to break the barrier between physical and virtual, including obtaining real results in all industries for which this technology has already it happened.

A simple example given at the event was the purchase of a sofa online. Just use the HoloLens 2 to check the actual sofa size and how it would be projected where you would like to place it, all this before making the payment. Another example, now more specific to business cases, was the Toyota, where the use of this new device resulted in a 20% reduction in inspection time for their products. Microsoft also presented some summary data about the HoloLens 2 in some areas of performance, check it out:

• Manufacturing: Reduce downtime, transform your workforce, and create more agile factories. With HoloLens 2, employees can quickly learn complex tasks and instantly collaborate from anywhere. 90% in the increase of work efficiency and 40% in the reduction of displacements;
• engineering and construction: Accelerate project pace, reduce instances of rework, and engage customers in new ways. Employees can identify risks early and accurately validate designs and install conditions from the initial design stage through construction. $4 million in savings per year and 14% reduction in construction costs;
• Healthcare: Empower teams to work safely and improve patient care by reducing time to care. Healthcare professionals can connect with remote specialists and get patient data and go beyond X-rays to query 3D MRI images at the point of care. 30% reduction in ward round time and 20 minutes to train a medical team;
• Education: Improve learning outcomes and revolutionize the curriculum with practical lesson plans that convey complex concepts in 3D. Students can learn hands-on anywhere with holographic instruction and assessments. 50% better student daughters-in-law and 83% reduction in training time.

And because it is a device of the Microsoft, of course, it is already equipped to collaborate with the rest of the company's ecosystem, especially those focused on the professional area. Apps like Dynamics 365 and Microsoft Teams are highlights in using the HoloLens 2.

A Embraer it was a HoloLens use case here in Brazil. The company, which develops aircraft and works in the areas of digital engineering, physical technologies and smart industry, has been using virtual reality technologies since the 2000s, creating digital rooms for design meetings. In 2010, augmented reality technology began to be used, with the help of industrial tablets.

The company now relies on HoloLens to assemble tubes into its products. With HoloLens 2, this experience will be further enhanced, mainly focused on remote assistance for productivity and development in the company, which has already been seen in the company for a year.

Below are some examples of interaction with projections by HoloLens 2:

Health area and Brazil

Despite being new in Brazil, the device is already widely used by several health professionals in some parts of the world, helping in cases of surgery planning or to train doctors, surgeons and nurses at a distance, allowing for new approaches. In Brazil we have the case of PBSF (Protecting Brains, Saving Futures, in its acronym in English) organization formed by specialists that envisages using technology and intelligence to prevent neurological sequelae in newborns.

PBSF intends to use this new device for the evaluation of newborns who are at high risk of permanent brain damage, all with the help of mixed reality. The organization already serves more than 40 private and public hospitals throughout Brazil. According to the PBSF, 20 to 30 thousand children are born with this condition annually in our country, however, this situation can be reversed. In possession of HoloLens 2 professionals will be able to jointly assess the diagnosis and indicate if the baby needs a specific treatment and which one, increasing the diagnostic speed and effectiveness of the treatment.

The solution will help us offer the best treatment to the greatest number of children, in Brazil and in the world, including in remote or difficult-to-reach regions. For us, it is essential that all children, whether they are treated in public or private hospitals, have the chance to benefit from the use of technology for qualified assistance.

Diagnostic time is crucial for the treatment of babies to be effective, and with the remote assistance of the mixed reality device, we will be able to gain valuable minutes or hours. In a short window of opportunity to avoid consequences that could last a lifetime, we can say that Time is Brain!

Doctor Gabriel Variane, CEO and founder of PBSF, talks about the arrival of new technology in Brazil

HoloLens 2 models and pricing

No Microsoft's official website It is possible to find three models of the new device: HoloLens 2, HoloLens 2 Industrial Edition e Trimble XR10 with HoloLens 2. Tomorrow, March 22, the HoloLens 2 will officially begin to be sold in Brazil, possibly in retail stores and in the Microsoft store itself — in the national territory it is possible that the standard and industrial models will be offered. For now the data on different models are as follows:

HoloLens 2 (default)

A standalone, ergonomic, no-strings-attached mixed-reality-based holographic projection device with enterprise-ready applications to increase user accuracy and throughput. Value on the American hot site: US$ 3.500, something around R$ 18.376,40 in free conversion. When buying it, the customer will take the HoloLens 2, a protective cover, a strap for adjustment, a USB Type-C cable for charging and a one-year warranty.

HoloLens 2 Industrial Edition

The HoloLens 2 Industrial is designed and tested to support regulated work environments, be they cleanrooms or even more hazardous locations. Value on the American hot site: US$ 4.950, something around R$ 25.989,48 in free conversion. Upon purchase, the customer will receive the HoloLens 2, a UL Class I, Division 2 Certificate, a Quick Replacement Program and a two-year warranty.

Trimble XR10 with HoloLens 2

A HoloLens 2 attached to a safety helmet designed specifically for employees in slightly more unhealthy, noisy and safety-controlled work environments. This model is available exclusively in the United States. Value on the American hot site: US$ 5.199, something around R$ 27.296,83 in free conversion. When purchasing it, the customer will receive the HoloLens 2, a UL Class I, Division 2 Certificate, the safety helmet and an audio canceling device.

Specification table

And you, what did you think of these news from Microsoft? Interested in a HoloLens 2? Tell us in the comments!

See also:

Oukitel WP22 It has a powerful 125 dB speaker!

reviewed by Glaucon Vital in 21 / 3 / 23.