Mixed-Reality Off-the-Visor Heads Up Display

There is a critical need for next-generation mixed reality (MR) head mounted displays (HMD) for the warfighter, on and off the battlefield. Critical features of such MR HMDs include daylight readability, large display field of view (FOV) without obstructing the userÆs natural FOV, and low size weight and power (SWaP). One current solution is the ArmyÆs Integrated Visual Augmentation System (IVAS) version 1.2. While IVAS 1.2 has an improved line of sight and better clarity over IVAS version 1.0, it suffers from a reduced MR FOV weight of 3.4 pounds (1.5 kg), thus reducing the userÆs situational awareness (SA) and adding significant weight to the head and neck. Thus, with several years and hundreds of millions of dollars invested, there are still critical limitations of ArmyÆs leading MR solution. To overcome these limitations, Holochip is developing a lightweight, low cost, wide-FOV, MR, off-the-visor (OTV) heads up display (HUD) component (MIRV). MIRV is a see-through HUD display component based on low-cost visor optics that will meet or exceed the ArmyÆs Integrated Visual Augmentation System (IVAS) requirements. MIRV will provide increased display-image performance over current systems. This will allow the Warfighter to comfortably view sensor, health, operational and other information during long-duration missions while continuing to maintain full SA and have high brightness for full visibility in daylight operations. Additionally, MIRV will be lightweight and ergonomic with balanced center of gravity and accurately aligned optics, thus reducing or eliminating user discomfort during long durations of use.