An Unforeseen Adventure at Microsoft’s Redmond Campus

Our journey started off on an unsuspecting note, with what seemed like a concise version of Microsoft’s HoloLens demo. However, the reality turned out much more thrilling — we were brought on an exclusive tour of the tech giant’s advanced prototyping centre and hardware engineering labs. An unforeseen, yet fabulous experience that warrants sharing.

The 3D Printing Room

The first stop was the magic of 3-dimensional creation — Microsoft’s 3D printing room. Much of the company’s rapid prototyping and conception of models takes place in this space. Armed with printers costing approximately two hundred thousand dollars each, this room is the setting of creativity and innovation. Despite our best attempts to gather more about these machines, the specifics are safely kept a company secret.

CNC Room

Moving forward, the Computer Numerical Control, or CNC room, was another intriguing stop. Primarily used for milling prototypes of metal products, we were even given a taste of the keyboard-building process for the Microsoft Surface Book. Although we were not privy to capture this manufacturing marvel, we appreciated the complexities behind it.

Endless Iterations

The next facet of our visit was delving into the world of product iterations. We were shown the design process of the Surface Book, complete with samples of prototypes born out of an18-month long cycle of daily iterations. Every problem solved, every obstacle overcome brought the engineers a step closer to the final masterpiece.

Human Factors Room

Perhaps the most intriguing of all was the Human Factors room, a hub of meticulous measurements and precise proportion. Specialising in anthropometrics, this space held a collection of measuring devices and a special room with 36 cameras meant to gauge human dimensions to ensure optimum product design. An astounding example of blending tech with human needs.

The Audio Labs

Lastly, Microsoft’s Audio Labs, home to over 25 anechoic chambers, left us in awe. Housing the quietest place on earth, the room can measure up to a staggering negative 20 decibels, making it a monument of sonic perfection.

Our exclusive tour of Microsoft’s advanced prototyping centre and hardware engineering labs was nothing short of enthralling — a testament to the company’s relentless pursuit of innovation, seamlessly merging technology with human needs.

Have you ever heard of a room so quiet you can hear air particles moving? That’s right, such a reality exists in Microsoft’s prototyping lab. This place of wonder and learning allows the study of how different product shapes can affect their audio quality and also how the human brain processes sounds. But that’s not all that’s in the lab.

There’s also the ‘Soft Room’ and ‘Paint Room’, where the tech giant tests colour concepts and texture possibilities for a wide range of products. From keyboard covers for Surface to textures on Hololens and even the now seemingly discontinued Microsoft Band.

But the trip did not end here, we hung out with Austin and Juddner, which was a fun-packed day. After the lab, we explored ‘The Garage’, more details of which will be covered in the next blog post.

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As always, your feedback matters! Hit the like button if this blog post was interesting or comment why it wasn’t. We know this was different from the usual factory tour content. We were not prepared for such an experience and didn’t get enough time to film. So, your input on how the blog panned out matters a lot.

Lastly, check out where to buy cool stuff like Surface and Xbox controllers on Amazon and our merch store for cool shirts. Also head over to our community forum to engage in discussions about Microsoft’s Prototyping Lab, or the discontinuation of their watch. Again, thanks for reading and stay tuned for the next tour.