Chunky VR headsets is perhaps a factor of the previous due to this prototype

For even probably the most diehard VR followers, the cumbersome nature of chunky VR headsets is one thing of a barrier to beat searching for an immersive gaming expertise. It’s one of many essential components that retains VR from changing into extra widespread than it already is, however consultants have discovered tips on how to take away no less than this one inconvenience from the VR expertise — researchers from Stanford College and Nvidia teamed up on a challenge to create a VR headset that’s the similar measurement as regular glasses. (Thanks, PC Gamer.)

They’re referred to as Holographic Glasses, and are “composed of a pupil-replicating waveguide, a spatial mild modulator, and a geometrical section lens to create holographic photos in a light-weight and skinny kind issue.” They create a full 3D holographic picture with optics which can be a minuscule 2.5mm thick, additionally adorably named pancake lenses.

There are different advantages to the pancake lenses as nicely, like supposedly limitless decision, and a wider area of view that may attain as much as 200°. As if that’s not sufficient, the Holographic Glasses solely weigh 60g, versus the Meta Quest 2 at 503g.

If you wish to be taught extra about precisely how the glasses work, try the paper that the analysis staff printed.

There are a couple of downsides, nonetheless. The FOV is way more restricted on the Holographic Glasses than on a standard VR headset, and the present prototype requires exact calibration with the wearer’s pupil, which may be arduous to realize successfully in real-world eventualities. Then there’s the truth that there are two big ribbons coming off of the glasses, however these simply make you look somewhat foolish greater than the rest.

As somebody who was very into VR for a time frame, seeing developments like this actually will get me pumped for the way forward for VR. Other than perhaps points with movement illness (which I even have), the heft of standard VR headsets appeared to be the largest issue that was holding them again.

Taking part in Beat Saber with light-weight glasses would actually be a sport changer, so I’m trying ahead to when this know-how makes its approach into the market.