Hololens gets first public outing as part of new Mars experience at Kennedy Space Center
POSTED 22 Sep 2016 . BY Tom Anstey
Buzz Aldrin experiences the power of Microsoft's Hololens in Destination: Mars Credit: NASA
Legendary astronaut Buzz Aldrin was among the first to try out Microsoft’s Hololens technology for the first time in a visitor attraction, with a new exhibition at the Florida’s Kennedy Space Center allowing visitors to virtually explore the surface of Mars.
Open until the end of the year, Destination: Mars has been developed by NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in collaboration with Hololens. Using the augmented reality headset, visitors can explore parts of Mars as observed by NASA’s Curiosity rover.
Using JPL’s OnSight technology, which allows NASA’s researchers to participate in a shared AR experience, a holographic version of Aldrin and Curiosity rover driver Erisa Hines, explain the work NASA is doing on Mars today. Using the HoloLens headset, visitors can explore geographic features on Mars and even plan future routes for the Curiosity rover.
“Technology like the HoloLens leads us once again towards exploration," said Aldrin. "It's my hope that experiences like Destination: Mars will continue to inspire us to explore."
Microsoft made its Hololens developer kit available for pre-order in March at a price of US$3,000 (€2,750, £2,150) ahead of the technology’s public release.
According to Microsoft, the HoloLens is the first fully untethered, see-through holographic computer. The next-gen technology enables high-definition holograms to come to life, seamlessly integrating with real-world physical places, spaces, and objects.
The device itself is still in the development phase with no set date for the public release. Even the beta release is limited, with only those in Microsoft’s Windows Insider programme able to apply for a maximum of two Hololens devices.
In the experience, a holographic version of Aldrin and Curiosity rover driver Erisa Hines, explain the work NASA is doing on Mars today Credit: NASA
The exhibition is open until the end of the year, closing 1 January 2017 Credit: NASA
RELATED STORIES
Hololens on sale to developers with US$3,000 price tag POSTED 03 Mar 2016. BY Tom Anstey Microsoft has made its Hololens developer kit available for pre-order at a price of
US$3,000 (€2,750, £2,150) ahead of the technology’s public release.
US Astronaut Hall of Fame closes ahead of move to Kennedy Space Center POSTED 02 Nov 2015. BY Tom Anstey The Astronaut Hall of Fame at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, US, has closed its
doors 25 years after it first opened to the public, with the standalone attraction being
incorporated into the new Heroes and Legends exhibit.
A new immersive attraction designed to transport visitors into the final hours of ancient Pompeii
is preparing to open near the world-famous archaeological site in southern Italy.
Experience design company, BRC Imagination Arts, has completed a transition that sees founder
Bob Rogers pass ownership of the business to four long-serving senior executives, while
remaining actively involved with the company.
Movie Park Germany has opened a new Paramount Pictures-themed attraction as part of its 30th
anniversary celebrations, using immersive storytelling and adaptive reuse to reinforce the park’s
longstanding “Hollywood in Germany” positioning.
+ More news
COMPANY PROFILES
IDEATTACK
IDEATTACK is a full-service planning and
design company with headquarters in
Los Angeles. [more...]
instantprint
We’re a Yorkshire-based online printer, founded
in 2009 by Adam Carnell and James Kinsella. [more...]
QubicaAMF UK
QubicaAMF is the largest and most
innovative bowling equipment provider with
600 employees worldwi [more...]
Alterface
Alterface’s Creative Division team is
seasoned in concept and ride development,
as well as storyte [more...]
An opportunity to reimagine one of the UK’s most recognisable towers has been formally
opened by Rivington Hark, as St Johns Beacon invites operators and partners to shape its
next phase. [more...]
Hololens gets first public outing as part of new Mars experience at Kennedy Space Center
POSTED 22 Sep 2016 . BY Tom Anstey
Buzz Aldrin experiences the power of Microsoft's Hololens in Destination: Mars Credit: NASA
Legendary astronaut Buzz Aldrin was among the first to try out Microsoft’s Hololens technology for the first time in a visitor attraction, with a new exhibition at the Florida’s Kennedy Space Center allowing visitors to virtually explore the surface of Mars.
Open until the end of the year, Destination: Mars has been developed by NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in collaboration with Hololens. Using the augmented reality headset, visitors can explore parts of Mars as observed by NASA’s Curiosity rover.
Using JPL’s OnSight technology, which allows NASA’s researchers to participate in a shared AR experience, a holographic version of Aldrin and Curiosity rover driver Erisa Hines, explain the work NASA is doing on Mars today. Using the HoloLens headset, visitors can explore geographic features on Mars and even plan future routes for the Curiosity rover.
“Technology like the HoloLens leads us once again towards exploration," said Aldrin. "It's my hope that experiences like Destination: Mars will continue to inspire us to explore."
Microsoft made its Hololens developer kit available for pre-order in March at a price of US$3,000 (€2,750, £2,150) ahead of the technology’s public release.
According to Microsoft, the HoloLens is the first fully untethered, see-through holographic computer. The next-gen technology enables high-definition holograms to come to life, seamlessly integrating with real-world physical places, spaces, and objects.
The device itself is still in the development phase with no set date for the public release. Even the beta release is limited, with only those in Microsoft’s Windows Insider programme able to apply for a maximum of two Hololens devices.
In the experience, a holographic version of Aldrin and Curiosity rover driver Erisa Hines, explain the work NASA is doing on Mars today Credit: NASA
The exhibition is open until the end of the year, closing 1 January 2017 Credit: NASA
RELATED STORIES
Hololens on sale to developers with US$3,000 price tag POSTED 03 Mar 2016. BY Tom Anstey Microsoft has made its Hololens developer kit available for pre-order at a price of
US$3,000 (€2,750, £2,150) ahead of the technology’s public release.
US Astronaut Hall of Fame closes ahead of move to Kennedy Space Center POSTED 02 Nov 2015. BY Tom Anstey The Astronaut Hall of Fame at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, US, has closed its
doors 25 years after it first opened to the public, with the standalone attraction being
incorporated into the new Heroes and Legends exhibit.
A new immersive attraction designed to transport visitors into the final hours of ancient Pompeii
is preparing to open near the world-famous archaeological site in southern Italy.
Experience design company, BRC Imagination Arts, has completed a transition that sees founder
Bob Rogers pass ownership of the business to four long-serving senior executives, while
remaining actively involved with the company.
Movie Park Germany has opened a new Paramount Pictures-themed attraction as part of its 30th
anniversary celebrations, using immersive storytelling and adaptive reuse to reinforce the park’s
longstanding “Hollywood in Germany” positioning.
Therme Manchester’s 28-acre development, which will include interconnected glass pavilions
that measure 65,000sq m, will be the largest bathing and wellbeing attraction in the world once
complete, according to prof David Russell, CEO of Therme UK.
Efteling has opened Hooghmoed, a new family drop tower designed to broaden the appeal of its
recently launched Sirene Island themed area and introduce younger visitors to thrill attractions.
+ More news
COMPANY PROFILES
IDEATTACK IDEATTACK is a full-service planning and
design company with headquarters in
Los Angeles. [more...]
instantprint We’re a Yorkshire-based online printer, founded
in 2009 by Adam Carnell and James Kinsella. [more...]
QubicaAMF UK QubicaAMF is the largest and most
innovative bowling equipment provider with
600 employees worldwi [more...]
Alterface Alterface’s Creative Division team is
seasoned in concept and ride development,
as well as storyte [more...]
An opportunity to reimagine one of the UK’s most recognisable towers has been formally
opened by Rivington Hark, as St Johns Beacon invites operators and partners to shape its
next phase. [more...]
