
We know that Sony is almost certainly working on a virtual reality peripheral for the PlayStation 4. Rumours seeping out of the platform holder earlier in the year suggested that it's deep into development on an Oculus Rift-esque peripheral that will allow you to physically examine virtual worlds by moving your head for real. Reports even hinted that the manufacturer was planning to announce the add-on this year, but it opted to keep it under wraps in order to focus on the launch of its next generation console. With the system smashing sales records around the globe, though, it may be about to share new information on the unannounced unit.
A patent filed by the firm earlier this year reiterates that it really is working on a wearable accessory for its latest machine – but that it may be much more complex than we originally assumed. The filing notes that, as expected, the unit will include a display and sensors to allow you to look around, but it also mentions that it may feature additional measures located over the forehead to track “the user’s biological information, such as body temperature, pulse, blood components, perspiration, brain waves, and cerebral blood flow”. Interestingly, the company submitted a similar patent in relation to the DualShock controller prior to the PS4’s announcement. The documentation also discusses the idea of eye-tracking – a feature that we know is in the works at Sony’s new research and development department named Magic Lab.
While all of this sounds interesting, you may be thinking that it all seems a bit dangerous. Fortunately, the platform holder also proposes a solution whereby the headset could detect objects within your playing space and provide feedback to help you to avoid bumping into them. Obviously, the manufacturer has been submitting a slew of patents lately, so this could be little more than postulating by the PlayStation maker. However, the existence of this submission when combined with the recent virtual reality rumours makes it all the more interesting. Are you attracted the idea of wearable technology, and do you think that the various tracking capabilities detailed within could add to the immersion of a traditional title? Enter another world in the comments section below.
[source freepatentsonline.com]
Comments 15
I want the headset as my screen, I'll pay for that alone. but I really think I don't want head tracking. I think it will grow as tiresome as waggling the Wii mote. I just want the headset and my dualshock.
@Squiggle55 That already exists.. http://www.sony.co.uk/hub/personal-3d-viewer
I highly doubt this will be better than oculus rift but im all for VR so the more the merrier.
@eLarkos Not saying you're wrong, just curious why you doubt it'll better Oculus?
@get2sammyb I obviously dont know for sure also but my money is on Oculus. A product like this has to be extremely fine tuned in many areas and it seems to me the guys at Oculus (and the newly acuired talent) are well aware of this and are making all the right moves. Its also not uncommon for Sony to put out a product just to get in the market. In fact I can think of several markets off the top of my head that sony have entered with an inferior product.
Edit: Not unlike many other companies I should add
I've been saying for a while that Sony's VR headset would likely be better than the OR and if these patents are put to use, then I'll be proven right.
@eLarkos From my experience, Sony products are rarely inferior, their only real negative would have to be price and scarce marketing.
@BornOfEvil What markets are Sonys products currently the best? Gaming (ps4), arguably cameras(compact etc)...? Now think about how many markets they are in. Do a quick google search of top 5 "insert category here" of 2013 and you will quickly find that Sony tops very few of these. As I said, this is not a trend isolated to Sony but when a company (in this case OR) specifically focuses on a few products, they tend to be of high quality.
For these reasons I think OR will better Sony in VR.
Im curious how this plays out. I read a lot about the Rift and they claim that it needs almost 4K resolution and lots of processing power to make it work without making the user puke all over the place. Anyways, I'll wait and see, maybe Sony has some other tech in it so they don't face the same problems. I definitely would give it a try if the first impressions prove reasonable!
Wow, that could make for some fantastic immersion. I have no idea how it would get a large enough userbase to justify a title that really uses it's potential though.
This sounds awesome!
I'd love to have a killer Sony headset, motion-tracking or not. Just not for $1000+ : )
That a lot of things for the headset to keep track of. Plus how would games benefit from knowing how much you perspire? What if someone's a heavy sweater?
@Cowboysfan-22 It would probably measure the change in perspiration so only an increase or decrease for example. But yea there is a lot going on haha
I'm curious to know how this headset will interact with the PS Eye, it seems like it could be a perfect match.
all sounds a bit sinister to me
As long as the price is good
Sony hmz is so damn pricey
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