Microsoft and NASA announce Sidekick -- HoloLens-based tech support for astronauts

When it comes to geeky stuff, space exploration is definitely on the top of the list. I am sure many of you dreamed of becoming astronauts as kids; representing your country by working for NASA. Of course, life is unpredictable and we rarely realize our dreams; only a small percentage of humans get to become astronauts with NASA.

Do you know what else is super-geeky and awesome? Virtual reality. Microsoft's implementation with HoloLens takes this to an entirely different level -- beyond just strapping a screen to the user's face. Microsoft has truly captured the imaginations of many. NASA has certainly taken notice, as today it announces a partnership with the Windows-making company to bring HoloLens to space, with a new project called Sidekick.

"Sidekick has two modes of operation. The first is 'Remote Expert Mode' which uses Skype, part of Microsoft, to allow a ground operator to see what a crew member sees, provide real-time guidance, and draw annotations into the crew member's environment to coach him or her through a task. Until now, crew members have relied on written and voice instructions when performing complex repair tasks or experiments", says NASA.

The government agency further explains, "the second mode is 'Procedure Mode', which augments standalone procedures with animated holographic illustrations displayed on top of the objects with which the crew is interacting. This capability could lessen the amount of training that future crews will require and could be an invaluable resource for missions deep into our solar system, where communication delays complicate difficult operations".

Comically, this high-end virtual reality technology is ultimately being used by NASA for tech support. If astronauts need help while in space, HoloLens will allow technical folks on Earth to help guide them and provide help. It is definitely cool, but not the futuristic science-fiction inspired project one might envision by the partnership.

As the technology matures and becomes less expensive, this could be used in a similar fashion on Earth. Imagine working on your car while wearing HoloLens so a remote mechanic can see the problem and walk you through fixing it. Hey, maybe this will be the next Tang!

What do you think of Sidekick? Tell me in the comments.