In the IT industry this year, VR technology has been a very hot topic. It was originally thought that Oculus Rift would start becoming popular in flight simulations like X-Plane; for instance, there was an announcement last year titled Oculus Rift: Apparently Windows First.

However, surprisingly, JAL (Japan Airlines) has already started using VR technology to train pilots and maintenance personnel. They are not using Oculus Rift, but rather Microsoft HoloLens.

According to JAL’s announcement, during the initial training of first officers, HoloLens is used to simulate the cockpit environment of a 737-800. It serves as an auxiliary tool to help trainees more easily understand the locations of various instruments. The HoloLens also features explanatory audio, which guides trainees through operating procedures and the execution of checklists.

Additionally, regarding the engines of the 787, maintenance personnel can use HoloLens to learn about the engine’s structure, components, and other details. Here are the demo videos:

The HoloLens is said to be priced at $3,000, weighs 579 grams, and can wirelessly connect to external devices like PCs. Its defining feature is Mixed Reality technology, which differs significantly from Oculus Rift. For example, during cockpit operations, when using HoloLens, one can not only see the instruments and control panels but also their own hands. This makes the realism of the training much better than with Oculus Rift and similar Immersion into virtual reality devices.

It looks like I can ignore Oculus Rift for now and patiently wait for more affordable Mixed Reality products to appear.