Emotion Detection with HoloLens: Microsoft patents revolutionary technology

Emotion detection embedded within wearable devices is no longer something far off in the future for tech enthusiasts and early adopters. Microsoft has just patented emotion detection in wearable headsets, most likely a feature that will be include in a future version of Microsoft HoloLens. The patent that was awarded to Microsoft clearly refers to wearable tech, more specifically: glasses, which is what the HoloLens will eventually be, most likely. The augmented reality headset is taking off in popular culture and the promo video ( which you can watch below ) is absolutely mesmerizing.

The concept behind HoloLens emphasizes the device’s use for everyday activity and it is essentially what Google Glass wasn’t, but wanted to be. Watching the HoloLens video, you are greeted by most likely what you yourself imagined the world would be like in a couple of decades. The HoloLens wants to skip decades and bring advanced augmented reality uses into our homes and into our offices, in a better way than Google Glass. With the emotion detection patent. the HoloLens would essentially be able to track your emotions and offer you up activities or entertainment that is in tune with those emotions.

If you’re thinking of HoloLens detection emotions that the wearer has, you’re getting only part of the picture. According to the patent, emotion detection would not be confined to some wearable sensor that maps you brainwaves, but it could actually detect emotions from the people that are in your vicinity and within the glasses’ field of vision. That’s creepy, honestly. Imagine being down thinking about your recently failed exam, and someone coming up to you with a HoloLens on their face with a cupcake to cheer you up. It doesn’t sound that bad, but it does raise some questions. Maybe the Glassholes of the future will be HoloHoles? Doubtful.

Although the patent that was discovered does not clearly make references to the Microsoft HoloLens, it is most likely something that the Redmond giant will include in their upcoming wearable. Probably not in the first edition, but in later editions of the device. Although patents don’t necessarily mean that a real device will be launched with the patented features, they do provide insight into the plans of Microsoft with HoloLens. The filing describes the alleged HoloLens as a device that can detect fluctuations in body temperature, intonation, vocabulary and facial expressions in order to determine the emotional state of whoever you select through the wearable device. Enticing. Would you want emotion detection in the Microsoft HoloLens or do you think it’s violation of privacy? I lean towards the second part, but I’m not entirely sure just yet.