Virtual & Augmented Reality and 3D News - Page 15

Sony is currently working on its next-generation PSVR, and if UploadVR's sources are correct, the new headset could have some tech that no other headset does. Namely, it's said to have a motor inside for haptic feedback. If that's true, it would be the first VR headset that we know of that offers such a feature.

The next PSVR will also get a significant display overhaul. The new device reportedly features a dual-screen setup (the current PSVR has a single display shared by both lenses) with adjustable lens spacing. The new PSVR should also have significantly improved image quality thanks to a 2000x2040 per-eye resolution. Supposedly, the next PSVR will also include gaze-tracking cameras for foveated rendering, which would help with the performance requirements to drive those high-resolution panels.

It seems like Sony may be working to reduce the cable clutter with the next PSVR too. The original model required a breakout box with a pair of cables that ran back to the headset. The new device will reportedly run off a single USB-C cable, which would plug into the front port of the PS5 console.

Rebuff Reality, a well-established VR accessory maker, recently announced the VR Power 2, an extended battery pack specifically designed for the Oculus Quest and Quest 2 headsets. The VR Power 2 gives your Quest 2 a total of 10,000mAh of battery capacity. That translates to up to 8 to 10-hours of use, depending on what you're doing. You can get up to 8-hours of gaming or 10-hours of media consumption out of this setup.

The VR Power 2 battery pack attaches to the rear of the head strap, which in addition to giving your headset extra runtime, adds ballast to help balance that counterbalances the weight. The VR Power 2 is compatible with any head strap option, including the original fabric strap and the Oculus Elite Head Strap. Rebuff Reality also offers its own head strap accessory, which is also compatible with the VR Power 2 battery pack.

The kit includes the battery pack, a USB-C cable, and two cable guides that attach to the upper strap and help secure the USB cable. The battery pack features two output ports; one for the Quest headset and one for accessories. The VR Power 2 also has a charge port on the side that allows you to charge both the extended battery and the headset all at once.

Facebook today announced that it acquired Downpour Interactive, the independent game studio that created the popular VR war simulator Onward. Facebook said this move would give Downpour the resources to improve the game even further.

Onward is one of the most popular VR games. Downpour Interactive originally released the game on PC VR platforms, where it saw great success on both the Oculus and SteamVR ecosystems. Recently, the developer ported the game over to the Oculus Quest platform, which exposed a much wider audience to the game.

Facebook recognized the Downpour Interactive is one of the pioneers behind social VR experiences. Under the Oculus Studios umbrella, Downpour will have the resources to take Onward to greater heights. Facebook also said the move would give Downpour the ability to pursue future projects.

Roto VR recently revealed that it had finalized the development of its DisplayPort cable magazine, which would enable the use of Vive Pro and Valve Index headset with its motorized VR chair.

Last year, Roto VR began shipping its long-awaited motorized Roto VR Chair for virtual reality experiences. The company first opened pre-ordered for the Roto VR Chair in May of 2016, and it took roughly four years to deliver the first units.

Roto VR's big selling point is the data cable passthrough system that enables the chair to rotate in continuous 360-degree rotations without wrapping the cable around yourself. Roto VR developed a device it calls the Cable Magazine, which gives the headset a place to plug in that rotates with the chair. The base of the unit has plugs to connect to your computer.

A new mixed reality company called Campfire just came out of hiding to make it's big reveal this week. The company purchased the rights to now-defunct Meta's patented technology and reimagined it for remote enterprise collaboration. Campfire's headset should be available later this year.

Campfire, a small startup company from San Mateo, California, this week announced that it raised $8 million in venture capital to help bring its enterprise AR solution to market. The company has an innovative approach to using immersive technology for remote collaboration. It believes that the biggest problems with remotely sharing 3D content with multiple users have nothing to do with the virtual environment and everything to do with the orientation of virtual content in the physical environment.

Campfire's solution includes a headset that can display AR and VR experiences, an accessory that turns your smartphone into a tracked controller to manipulate the virtual environment, and a console that acts as an anchor point to link the virtual and physical worlds together.

Yaw VR launched a Kickstarter campaign earlier this week for its Yaw2 home motion simulation seat, and it already secured nearly ten times its backing goal. Yaw VR expects to ship the first unit to backers in September.

Three years ago, Yaw VR ran a successful Kickstarter campaign for its first motion cockpit, the Yaw VR, which was pretty much a bowl with a seat it in that rotates along with the input of your VR game. The Yaw 2 accomplishes the same motion with a much more impressive-looking setup.

The Yaw2 features a racing-seat-style gaming chair on a motorized platform that mimics the motion of the games you play. The Yaw2 supports 70-degrees of pitch motion and 40-degrees of roll motion. Yaw VR also offers an optional attachment called the Yaw Platform, which adds 360-degree rotation to the package.

If you've been lamenting the Oculus avatar system and its lack of diversity, fret no more. The new Oculus avatar system has practically unlimited options to make your virtual avatar look just the way you want.

Facebook Reality Labs just revealed a completely overhauled avatar system for the Oculus platform. The new avatar creation tool lets you get into the details when building your virtual likeness. Now you can adjust facial features individually, including eyes, nose, mouse, and you can even add wrinkles if you want to show your age.

The new Oculus avatar system also allows you to customize your hairstyle and hair colour, adjust your body type and size, and now you can dress yourself up in whatever clothes fit your personal style.

HTC today announced its partnership with iFixit to provide Vive customers with a means to repair their off-warranty VR hardware. That is a massive win for right-to-repair advocates.

HTC said that iFixit would sell replacement parts for Vive VR headsets and accessories and provide instruction guides to help people make their repairs. iFixit already sells all the tools required for each repair.

"We hear from many customers who love their original HTC Vive headsets after years of use, but occasionally still need a specific part," said Daniel O'Brien, General Manager, HTC America. "By partnering with iFixit, we're taking an unprecedented approach to meeting the demands of our long-time customers who want to repair and continue to use their beloved headsets that may be out of warranty or no longer available through us."

In an interview with Protocol, Magic Leap CEO Peggy Johnson announced that the company is gearing up to release its second-generation mixed reality headset this year. Johnson said Magic Leap 2 would be first available in an early access program, with general availability in early 2022.

Magic Leap's first headset did not fare well in the market. The company tried to target the consumer market with its messaging, but the device's price tag screamed enterprise technology. In the last year, the company made the pivot focus solely on the enterprise space and put its consumer roadmap on hold for a while. Magic Leap 2 is exclusively an enterprise-focused device, with significant attention on medical training.

Johnson said that a core priority for Magic Leap 2 is making it comfortable for front-line workers. The new headset is half the size of the original model, along with a 20% weight savings. Magic Leap 2 will also offer a much larger field of view than the original model. Johnson said that her engineering team managed to create optics that enable double the field of view provided in the Magic Leap One.

A new HTC Vive headset has won an award for its innovative design, but the company said it does not have plans to bring it to production.

HTC is gearing up for Vivecon 2021, where it will presumably announce a new VR headset. Rumour has it the product is meant for the enterprise market. If the design of this award-winning headset concept is any indication, we would bet on a consumer-level product from HTC this year.

The IF World Design Guide released its list of 2021 winners, and HTC won the award for best Product Design with a concept VR headset called the Vive Air. The award page describes the Vive Air as a VR headset inspired by the footwear industry. The Vive Air features breathable, quick-drying fabrics that help keep the headset cool and dry while during high-intensity activities such as using fitness apps.