Anduril EagleEye MR Helmet: Palmer Luckey's VR Return

Anduril Industries Unveils EagleEye: An AI-Augmented System for Soldiers

A Silicon Valley defense company, Anduril Industries, recently introduced “EagleEye” on Monday. This new helmeted computing system represents their latest attempt to provide a solution for the Army’s requirements in the realm of mixed-reality technology.

The unveiling is particularly significant due to the leadership of Anduril’s co-founder, Palmer Luckey. He is well-known as the founder of Oculus, a groundbreaking VR company that was later acquired by Meta.

EagleEye: A Modular System

Anduril characterizes EagleEye as a versatile “family of systems.” It is constructed on their Lattice software platform, delivering command-and-control functionalities, sensor data, and AI directly to a soldier’s line of sight.

The company asserts that the system is capable of integrating live video streams. It also incorporates rear and side sensors to provide operators with threat awareness, and enables real-time tracking of fellow team members.

EagleEye is available in multiple form factors, including a helmet, a visor, and glasses.

Army's Shift in Mixed-Reality Suppliers

This launch coincides with the U.S. Army’s efforts to broaden its selection of mixed-reality equipment providers. Previously, the Army had been utilizing Microsoft’s Integrated Visual Augmentation System (IVAS), a substantial $22 billion program initiated in 2018.

However, following several years of challenges, the Army transferred control of the contract to Anduril in February.

In September, Anduril secured a $159 million contract to develop a prototype for a new mixed-reality system for soldiers. This is part of a larger Soldier Borne Mission Command initiative.

Anduril stated that this award constitutes “the largest effort of its kind” aimed at equipping “every soldier with superhuman perception and decision-making capabilities.”

Partnership with Meta

Earlier this year, Anduril also announced a collaboration with Meta to create extended reality (XR) devices for military applications. This partnership represents a noteworthy reunion between Luckey and his previous employer.

“I am glad to be working with Meta once again,” Luckey expressed in a blog post. “My mission has long been to turn warfighters into technomancers, and the products we are building with Meta do just that.”

EagleEye’s Development History

The concept for EagleEye has been in development for some time. It initially appeared in Anduril’s original pitch deck, before investors guided the startup to prioritize software development, such as Lattice.

“Going toe-to-toe with Microsoft and Magic Leap would have been demoralizing windmill-tilting driven by magical thinking,” Luckey explained in a post on X in February. “Everything is different now. The world is ready, and so is Anduril.”