Microsoft HoloLens, Cortana update: VR users can use voice assistant to find lost items

Microsoft is looking to end the human trait of forgetfulness via its HoloLens. Virtual Reality (VR) headsets are set to become as thin as one’s spectacles in near future. Several years ago, Microsoft patented the “object tracking” technology where VR glasses would analyse and record their environment. Microsoft is optimistic that a time is soon coming where these VR headsets will play a massive role in peoples’ day-to-day activities.

Microsoft HoloLens will keep track of every object in a user’s surrounding with the help of the software installed. Thus, users will not have to waste time to search for objects such as car keys, wallet and what not. Cortana, Microsoft’s voice assistant will play an instrumental role in this object tracking as users will have to ask the assistant about the missing object.

Thus, if someone wants to know whether there is apple pie in the refrigerator, Cortana will bring up the recording last time the Microsoft HoloLens user opened the fridge. However, in certain cases this tracking will become a bit of a problem if the objects are moved by someone else. There are also talks that Microsoft may come up with a mobile device with image sensors to observe the environment. It will be like a “see-through display worn by a user.”

The Microsoft HoloLens will store video recordings of the user’s home and the device will have its alert system. If a user is sharing his household, the other person can also be made aware when a user is shopping or he can also search recordings to see where a missing item could be.

“In this manner, a user may be able to discover a most recent location of lost keys, may be provided with a reminder to buy more milk while browsing the dairy section at a grocery store, and/or may track and recall other object state information in any suitable manner,” Microsoft said in a statement, reported by The Sun.