Meta and defence technology startup Anduril Industries have formed a partnership to develop mixed reality technology for military personnel. The collaboration aims to create augmented reality and artificial intelligence (AI) integrated systems, potentially in the form of glasses, goggles, or visors, to work in conjunction with Anduril’s Lattice data analytics platform.
Key Elements of the Partnership
The integration of Meta’s AI and augmented reality (AR) capabilities with Anduril’s Lattice platform is designed to enhance battlefield intelligence and decision-making for military personnel. Lattice is described as an AI-powered command and control system that aggregates data from thousands of sources to provide real-time battlefield insights.
Statement from Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg
“Meta has spent the last decade building AI and AR to enable the computing platform of the future,” Zuckerberg said. “We’re proud to partner with Anduril to help bring these technologies to the American servicemembers that protect our interests at home and abroad.”
Insights from Anduril Founder Palmer Luckey
Anduril founder Palmer Luckey, who also co-founded virtual reality startup Oculus (acquired by Facebook in 2014), expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration. “My mission has long been to turn warfighters into technomancers, and the products we are building with Meta do just that,” he said, referring to the concept of combining technology with magical prowess.
Background and Implications
This partnership comes against the backdrop of increasing involvement of big tech companies in the U.S. military-industrial complex. With the current administration pushing an ‘America First’ agenda, companies like Meta, OpenAI, and Palantir are showcasing their nationalistic sentiments. Meta has emphasized the importance of its AI models for U.S. dominance in the AI race against China.
The collaboration between Meta and Anduril represents a significant step in the integration of advanced technologies like mixed reality and AI in military operations. As the development progresses, it is likely to have considerable implications for the future of military technology and strategy.
