Virtual reality is pretty amazing in its current form, but there are definitely areas in which it can be improved. PlayStation VR does its best to limit the number of necessary wires, but depending on what you're playing, the physical connection can be anything from a nuisance to an outright danger. Needless to say, the sooner VR can go without wires, the better.
If we're to take Sony's latest patent at face value, that's exactly what the company is working on. The recently granted patent tells of a "program capable of switching a frequency band used for communication earlier than before according to a change in an environment in which a communication device or a communication partner is placed." That's a lot of technobabble, but from what we can gather from the images, it seems the image from the game would be sent to the headset wirelessly, and then the output would go via a break out box separate from the PS4 itself. If Sony could keep latency to a minimum, a cable-free PSVR headset would be a great step forward.
As with all patents, you shouldn't assume that this will translate into a fully realised product. However, we're sure Sony is researching wireless PSVR for a future iteration -- it's a big hurdle to make the platform that much more accessible and immersive. It wouldn't surprise us to see this come to fruition at some point, but the real task will be keeping the price reasonably low while cramming in new features.
Do you think we'll see a wireless PSVR unit in the next few years? Do the cables bother you when you play, or is it a non-issue?
[source uploadvr.com, via j-platpat.inpit.go.jp]
Comments 18
I don't think I'd want VR without a cable. As long as it's one single cable, I'm fine with it. A cable decreases any kind of lag; which is important for VR. A big heavy battery would increase the weight of the VR headset considerably; and on top of that you have to worry about the battery running out, or even worse, running dry. And I'm certain compromises would have to be made to ensure it's still light enough, but can also last for a while, and you don't get all of that for free.
@NintendoFan4Lyf It's part of the patent. The PS4 works as a DDR pad. You have to jump on it hard enough to activate Dance Dance Revolution 2019. Trust me it works.
@Octane Battery was my first thought. Not the weight so much, iPad, Switch, watch, battery doesn't have to be that heavy, but the battery life is going to be 2 hours max. They'll need to make a stand that always charges it like a dustbuster hand vacuum.
Of course I've never been able to or really wanted to play it for more than 45 minutes so I suppose 2 hours wouldn't be the end of the world. Better than holding to our face like Labo VR. 😉
I don't have problem with cable as long as its only one cable, wireless is better though.
I’d be fine with a battery pack that hooks to a belt or something as an option. Honestly I hate the cords. They get in my way all the time when trying to play games. On Skyrim I end up tying them to my leg so I can be immersed and stop tripping over the freaking things constantly.
@rjejr dustbusters are very good.
Removing the cables would be great, but I’m more concerned in the leap in graphics in V2. Much more important for VR. If they can get up to RDR2 even for next gen, we’ll have a winner for me.
Looks great but then so did the new move controller patents and still waiting to hear more on those! Could this all be aimed towards PSVR 2 on the PS5? Exciting if so.
Less wires in general would be a huge improvement. Far too many of them. I love PSVR but it is a faff to setup and looks messy. If wireless it needs a decent charge life though and no noticeable lag.
Other improvements id like to see for PSVR2 are a slimmer headset.
Better screen resolution and smaller headset.
Presumably it'll be PS5 compatible so that should sort the graphical upgrades.
New Move controllers with better tracking and analogue sticks.
Oh and backwards compatible with the current PSVR and support for the Aim Controller because that's awesome.
Finally an RRP of no more than £400. Not asking for much eh. 😃
they should increase the resolution first before worrying about the cable
PLEEEEEEEEEASE if you’re doing this Sony, get this right.
When they launched PSVR there was a video where the guy said the next step is wireless. I think most people didn't believe it.
The cables don't really bother me, personally. It just takes a while to set everything up, that's all. The only cable I could see becoming a problem is the one attached to the headset itself, but I usually position it behind me so that it reaches around to the side, well away from me... It's quite long so it's not really a problem...
I don't think I ever tripped or got caught in any of the cables while playing... Others have, though, usually because they were too busy saying I looked like an idiot to notice the cables under their feet
@ellsworth004 The only problem w/ dustbusters is that every 2 years the non-replaceable battery dies and I have to buy a new one.
I think a slow small fan to move heat & moisture out of the head set would have been a better add on.
Man the dude in the picture needs to buy some blinds, the curtains need some tiebacks and he really needs to put some clothes on.
They need to, the wired headset is a large pain.
@themcnoisy he needs to sort out his sofa cushions too. Very shoddy.
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