Meta Collaborates with Former Oculus Founder’s Company to Develop Leading AR and VR Systems for the US Military

Alright, let’s dive into this twisty tale. So yeah, Palmer Luckey—this guy’s life is practically begging for a documentary. Seriously. It’s got all the juicy bits, and I’m just sitting here waiting for the popcorn. Anyway, now Luckey’s company, Anduril, is hooking up with Meta. What for, you ask? Building “the world’s best AR and VR systems for the US military.” Dramatic, right?

Okay, hang on. Backtrack. Luckey’s story is wild. Founded Oculus in 2012. Those VR headsets? His brainchild. Facebook—er, Meta—swooped in with over $2 billion. Not too shabby, huh? Fast forward a bit, politics muddied the waters (don’t they always?), and he was out. But like a cat, the dude lands on his feet again. Voilà, Anduril! Now it’s worth billions. Crazy, right?

Now, if I’m honest, Anduril isn’t just VR goggles—they’ve been dabbling in all things military tech. Drones, sensors, you name it. By the way, they took over the IVAS program from Microsoft—it’s like replacing a failing TV show with a flashy spin-off.

Anyway, jumping forward a bit. Anduril’s teamed up with Meta, aiming to craft these snazzy AR/VR gadgets for soldiers. Their words, not mine: offer “enhanced perception and intuitive control” on the battlefield. Sounds like something from a sci-fi novel, doesn’t it? They swear no taxpayer cash is involved, just private funds. Imagine saving billions for the military. Wild, huh?

Luckey is stoked, claims this tech can turn soldiers into, get this, “technomancers.” What a term! And out of nowhere, mending fences with old pals? Even Zuckerberg and Bosworth—remember, the guys he had the spat with—are all in. They even gave quotes to mark the occasion. Imagine that reunion pic! Actually, there is one. Lucky us.

But where was I going with this? Oh, right. The main gig is gearing up for the IVAS helmet project, a huge $20 billion affair. Meta’s tech might be the secret sauce here. Initially Microsoft, but Anduril’s taken charge. Could this be a game-changer? Who knows. At least, that’s the hope. Guess we’ll have to wait and see if this partnership delivers military magic or just another line in Luckey’s unfolding drama.