Move over Oculus Rift, there’s a new virtual reality (VR) headset in town.
Intel Corporation showed off its new VR headset while presenting at the Developer Forum in San Francisco last August. Dubbed “Project Alloy,” this wireless VR headset offers the best of both worlds in terms of virtual reality and augmented reality.
Cut the Cord
The problem with many VR headsets — well, one of the problems — is their reliance on a cord connecting it to a PC. But Project Alloy is untethered, meaning users can operate the VR headset without tripping over a cumbersome cord. Project Alloy has its own processor, memory and other components, eliminating the need for a tethered cord.
Merge Realities
Project Alloy isn’t just another video gaming VR headset. Intel says it allows users to not only objects in front of them, but also interact with those objects. Using the Project Alloy headset, for instance, you can pick up and manipulate objects in your surroundings. Of course, the objects won’t move in the real/physical world. Rather, they move in the images projected by the headset.
“Through merged reality, see your hands, see your friends … see the wall you are about to run into. Using Intel RealSense technology, not only can you see these elements from the real world, but you can use your hands to interact with elements of your virtual world, merging realities,” wrote Intel when describing its upcoming Project Alloy in a press release.
Of course, VR headsets like the Project Alloy are essentially an interface through which a human operator controls a device. When you think of interfaces, VR headsets probably don’t come to mind. But these devices support input from a human operator; thus, making them an interface.
Project Alloy is One of Many
Intel is planning to release the open APIs for Project Alloy’s RealSense technology next year. This means other companies can create similar “merged reality” VR headsets.
So, what type of hardware will power Project Alloy? When presenting the revolutionary VR headset, Intel CEO Brian Krzanich said hardware specifications won’t be finalized until the second half of next year. In other words, even Intel hasn’t made a final decision regarding Project Alloy’s hardware.
What do you think of Intel’s upcoming Project Alloy VR headset?
