Microsoft has ended production of its HoloLens 2 headset, with no sign of a replacement ahead. In an email sent to The Verge, Microsoft cloud communications general manager Craig Cincotta writes:

Microsoft is no longer producing Microsoft HoloLens 2, and we have signaled a last time to buy for customers and partners. Support for HoloLens 2, including security updates will end on December 31, 2027.

We will continue to invest in mixed reality opportunities with first-party software solutions and services, partnering with the broader mobile phone and mixed reality hardware ecosystem. In addition, we remain fully committed to the IVAS program with the US Department of Defense.

Software support for the original HoloLens headset will end on December 10th, as reported by UploadVR. Microsoft originally unveiled its HoloLens headset in 2015, promising the augmented reality goggles would power the future of virtual worlds. Microsoft then followed them up with the HoloLens 2 in 2019, with a wider field of view, eye tracking, and more powerful specs.

Microsoft’s struggles with HoloLens have been apparent over the past two years. Former HoloLens boss Alex Kipman departed the company in 2022 following misconduct allegations. Microsoft then changed its “hardware portfolio” in January 2023 amid layoffs that impacted its devices teams. Employees on the HoloLens 2 team were also impacted by additional Microsoft layoffs earlier this year.

It’s not clear if we’ll ever see another HoloLens headset that will be available for businesses or even consumers to buy. Microsoft reportedly scrapped plans for a HoloLens 3 but then hinted that it would make a “meaningful update” to the hardware when the time was right.

Microsoft has now teamed up with Anduril Industries, the military tech company started by Oculus VR founder Palmer Luckey, to improve its IVAS mixed reality headsets used by the US Army. Microsoft’s initial IVAS headset, based on HoloLens technology, first went into trials in 2021 and includes integrated thermal and night vision imaging sensors in a heads-up display.

The US Army previously said it plans to spend up to $21.9 billion over the 10-year IVAS project contract, and Microsoft has been working to correct issues with the IVAS headset in recent years, with further tests scheduled for early 2025.

Correction, October 1st: Article updated to clarify software support will end for the original HoloLens soon. Production for the original HoloLens headset ended years ago.

Update, October 1st: Added statement from Microsoft.