Google announced that it is working with HTC and Lenovo to launch standalone Daydream virtual reality (VR) headsets later this year.
Daydream is Google’s VR platform for smartphones and standalone headsets.
The standalone VR headsets will be based on Qualcomm’s 835 VR platform and use WorldSense, a new technology that understands movement in space without the need to set up any external sensors.
“The whole device is designed just for VR,” Clay Bavor, Google’s head of VR, was quoted by the FT as saying.
“Getting into VR is as easy as picking the thing up,” he said. “By building every part of the device specifically for VR, we’ve been able to optimise everything . . . to give a stronger sense of being transported.”
“We are thrilled to once again work with Google and offer a powerful premium Snapdragon experience for devices on the Daydream platform,” said Keith Kressin, senior vice president, product management, Qualcomm Technologies, Inc.
“Our companies share the same vision: to make it possible for everyone to enjoy rich and immersive VR experiences on a smartphone device or a dedicated VR head-mounted display while being fully mobile, rather than being restricted by cables or limited to predefined rooms setup for outside-in tracking.”
Google’s Clay Bavor said:
“The Daydream standalone headset reference design created in close partnership with Qualcomm will enable manufacturers to build a whole new category of VR devices.
“These headsets have everything needed for VR, built right into the headset itself and are as easy to use as picking them up. They’ll feature WorldSense for positional tracking right out of the box without any external equipment. We’re thrilled that headsets will begin to hit shelves later this year.”