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The Future of VR Headsets Is Wireless With Inside-Out Tracking

CES ushers in next-generation VR headsets with inside-out tracking.

Aside from the lights going out and what seemed like days of rain, the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) was the place to be if you wanted a sneak peek of new VR headsets dropping this year. While HTC made a splash unveiling an upgraded Vive Pro off site, the big trend on the show floor was standalone VR headsets with “inside-out” tracking.

What’s inside-out tracking? Why is it a big deal?

Inside-out tracking combines a VR headset with outward facing cameras that let a computer see the environment, and in some cases, your hand controllers around you. You are basically removing sensors and lighthouses that would normally attach to your wall or rest on your desk and instead integrating them into the headset itself. Less hardware. Less hassle.

Inside-out tracking is still new to the market, but Microsoft’s Mixed Reality headsets utilize years of research from the development of the HoloLens, showing that a full blown VR experience with 6DoF can be executed with inside-out tracking for a reasonable price.

HoloLens inside-out tracking.

In addition to inside-out tracking, these same devices are also referred to as “standalone” headsets.

A standalone VR device means that the computer powering VR is built into the headset. This removes the need for a mobile phone or computer to be attached to the headset. Combining inside-out tracking with a standalone mobile processor dramatically increases mobility of VR and the experiences you’re immersed in. 

An inside-out tracked standalone headset allows you to freely move around your space—no cords or computer needed. All you need to do is put on a headset and experience tetherless VR, often times with minimal setup required. This lowers the barrier of entry for consumers who may not be technically inclined. The freedom also allows for the flexibility of choosing where you decide to use VR—at your friend’s house or even a local bar.

Inside-out tracked standalone headsets aren’t limited to just VR gaming applications. Due to the reduction of “moving parts” required to enter VR, the technology also lowers the cost for many industrial and business use cases.

Currently to manage a VR setup with a headset such as the HTC Vive, a computer or laptop is required. The setup must be properly configured and running the right VR software before a consumer is able to jump into VR. On top of installing external sensors to track your movement, a designated space must be allocated with adequate “playspace.” A staff member must be trained on launching the software, debugging possible issues with software or hardware issues. All of this reduces the mobility of where a VR experience can be used and increases the hardware required.

For mobile VR headsets like the Samsung Gear VR or Google Daydream View, a compatible mobile phone must be inserted into the headset. Staff needs to keep track of the valuable high-end mobile phones and VR headsets. The mobile devices must also separately be kept clean of fingerprints and dust, along with cleaning the VR headset lenses. All of this increases the amount of maintenance involved. As of now, most mobile VR headsets do not allow for full body movement (meaning it’s always a seated or standing experience only) without an additional hardware accessory.

That’s where standalone inside-out tracked headsets can change the game for this type of use case. With the growing uses within the medical, educational, fitness, industrial training and social VR industry, a standalone inside-out tracking VR headset can increase business adoption rates and provide a streamlined hardware solution that is easier to maintain and deploy.

At time same time, we must proceed with caution. The promise of standalone headsets have not been proven yet. Since it’s a new technology, users may experience overheating issues, shorter battery life, wifi connectivity challenges, lower fidelity graphics, and a lack of software fully utilizing 6DoF. You will be unable to play current desktop SteamVR games without the developer putting in work to optimize graphics extensively and current mobile VR titles may need redesigning to allow for untethered movement.

Here are most of the inside-out standalone headsets we spotted at CES this year:

Mirage Solo, the first stand-alone Daydream headset, allows users to “move naturally in virtual reality.” Coming to stores in Spring of 2018, this next generation standalone VR headset features Google’s WorldSense technology that is based on Google’s previous Tango AR technology to provide inside-out tracking. Prices for the Mirage Solo are expected to start under $400.

The new version of the Pico Neo CV includes inside-out tracking with dual 6DoF hand controllers using ultrasonics. The Neo CV also features a 3K resolution with a 90hz refresh rate allowing for HD image quality. Based on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 processor, the Neo will have the processing power of one of the top mobile CPU on the market. Due to the amount of features involved, it ends up with one of the highest price tags starting at $749 for pre-orders.

Targeted to the Chinese market, the HTC Vive Focus is priced at $600 when converted from Yuan to USD. The Focus also operates on the Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ 835 processor like the Neo CV. On the outside, it is designed for maximized comfort and is available in Electric Blue and Almond White color options.

A Chinese manufacturer named, CooCaa, which is a subsidiary of Skyworth also showed a inside-out tracking standalone headset known as “VR All-In-One” or G1. This headset strangely did not have any hand controllers and is aimed for entertainment market.   

Also spotted on the CES floor was Qualcomm’s internal standalone inside-out tracking headset. Not many details are known other than it had the brand new Snapdragon 845 processor giving it a significant performance boost. No details have been revealed if this headset will ever come to production.

Although we didn’t spot the Oculus Santa Cruz at CES, it’s worth mentioning here. Santa Cruz made its first hands-on debut at OC4 late 2017. The Santa Cruz’s mission is to bring a PC-quality VR experience to an untethered standalone headset. It also features two 6DoF controllers resembling the Oculus Touch. There is no consumer release date yet, but Santa Cruz will ship to developers in early 2018. Pricing information also has not been released but are expected to be higher than the current Oculus Rift. It is important to note that the standalone VR headset, Oculus Go, is not the Santa Cruz. The Oculus Go does not feature inside-out tracking and provides single 3DoF controller support (as far as we know).

Image Credit: Lenovo & VRScout

About the Scout

Steve Ip

Stephen Ip is an award winning indie game developer, record producer with millions of downloads, and Chief Strategy Officer of ADVR.io. Stephen seeks to find and meet every single VR related project in the world!

About the Scout

Sydney Wuu

Sydney is a student journalist from Southern California. While not writing articles, you can find her playing tennis, trying new foods, and traveling the world.

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