Sony Patent Hints at New VR Headset

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Sony Patent Hints at New VR Headset

Key Takeaways

  • Sony’s new patent hints at switchable prescription lenses for a potential new VR headset.
  • The patent aims to reduce bulk and weight of wearing both prescription glasses and a VR headset.
  • Despite PS VR2’s struggles, Sony’s innovation in the VR space suggests more to come.

As a seasoned gamer with a history of glasses-wearing and a passion for virtual reality, this Sony patent news has me more than just a little excited! The idea of being able to wear a VR headset without the added bulk and discomfort of my glasses is a dream come true. I’ve always felt that the perfect VR experience was just out of reach due to my prescription, but this could be the game-changer I’ve been waiting for!

A recently published patent by Sony introduces a fascinating new prescriptive lens capability, suggesting that the tech giant may be exploring innovative advancements in virtual reality technology, possibly for a brand-new VR headset model. This novel feature seems to demand hardware that isn’t compatible with the PlayStation VR2, Sony’s current-generation VR headset.

After its debut on February 22, 2023, sales of the PlayStation VR2 decreased significantly, prompting speculation that Sony might reduce their focus on virtual reality development. The high launch price of $549.99 and a lack of enticing first-party and third-party games during the initial year were believed to be the main reasons for its poor sales. In March 2024, Bloomberg reported that Sony had stopped manufacturing the PlayStation VR2, which was about a year after its release. This decision was apparently driven by low player demand, leaving Sony with an excess of unsold VR headsets. However, in recent times, there has been a revival of sorts for the PlayStation VR2, thanks to substantial price reductions and the introduction of PlayStation’s official PC adapter for the VR2.

Based on a recently published patent by Sony, they have been exploring technology that identifies prescription lenses incorporated into their upcoming Virtual Reality (VR) headset, such as the PlayStation VR2. This patent was submitted on March 4, 2023, and became public knowledge on September 5, 2024. As depicted in the patent, the purpose of this system is to minimize the cumbersome size and weight associated with using vision correction glasses alongside a VR headset by allowing users to insert prescription lenses directly into the VR device instead. Key features like eye tracking and foveated rendering will still be available on the new VR headset, as the device performs many of the functions found in the PlayStation VR2.

Sony Patent Hints at a New PlayStation VR Headset With Switchable Prescription Lenses

It’s important to point out that the headset depicted in the patent is not the PlayStation VR2, as the current version of Sony’s VR headset does not include a slot for swappable prescription lenses. The patent might be suggesting an updated model of the PlayStation VR2, taking advantage of its recent popularity during the summer, or it could be referring to a brand new VR headset that Sony is developing in their research and development phase.

Although PlayStation VR2 struggled with performance during its initial year, a recent patent indicates that Sony continues to develop and innovate within the virtual reality (VR) sector. While the features and hardware depicted in patents are not definitive, this could suggest exciting new VR devices for PlayStation enthusiasts to anticipate in the future.

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2024-09-10 03:33