Immersing yourself in virtual reality can feel like a sci-fi fantasy come true, however bulky, cumbersome VR headsets nearly make it more problem than its worth. There have actually been numerous efforts to slim down VR headsets, such as Dlodlos lightweight V One headset and Panasonics prototype safety glasses revealed at CES 2020. Now Facebook has actually revealed its own glasses-like model headset with a display measuring 8.9 mm thick– about the exact same thickness as a mobile phone.
VR headsets also usually require substantial range between the display screen and the lens so that the image can be focused appropriately.
Nevertheless, holographic optics alone arent enough to give Facebooks headset its slim style. VR headsets likewise usually need considerable distance between the display screen and the lens so that the image can be focused properly. In order to minimize the space required, Facebooks researchers utilized polarization-based optical folding, likewise referred to as “pancake” folding.
To put it just, pancake folding bounces light back and forth inside a lens a couple of times prior to it reaches your eye, increasing the distance the light travels while keeping real physical range small. As Facebooks model avoids large lenses, its holographic optics do the pancake folding instead.
” Our proposed technique is to develop a pancake optic where all the focusing power is carried out by holographic optical elements instead of bulk optics,” Maimone and Wang composed in their paper. Their research will exist at the virtual SIGGRAPH conference in August.
Less cumbersome than other VR headsets, Facebooks model will probably still annoy individuals who already use glasses.
As exciting as this is, Maimone and Wang note they are only in the research phase. Facebooks VR headset still has many concerns that need to be exercised, and is years far from making it to customers..
For instance, the headset currently uses external components such as source of lights and display motorists which would have to be integrated into its small frame. The prototype was also designed to only reveal Matrix-like shades of green for simplicity, though Facebooks researchers want to eventually use laser lights for an even broader ranger of colors than basic Red Green Blue shows..
Still, Facebooks reasonably svelte VR headset prototype is an exciting action towards more useful VR, and potentially more extensive adoption of the innovation..
” Lightweight, high resolution, and sunglasses-like VR displays may be the secret to making it possible for the next generation of demanding virtual reality applications that can be taken advantage of anywhere and for prolonged periods of time,” composed Maimone and Wang.
Immersing yourself in virtual reality can feel like a sci-fi dream come to life, however large, troublesome VR headsets almost make it more problem than its worth. There have actually been different attempts to slim down VR headsets, such as Dlodlos lightweight V One headset and Panasonics model safety glasses shown at CES 2020. Now Facebook has actually revealed its own glasses-like model headset with a screen measuring 8.9 mm thick– about the very same density as a smartphone.
In a brand-new research study paper entitled “Holographic Optics for Thin and Lightweight Virtual Reality,” Facebook Reality Labs researchers Andrew Maimone and Junren Wang have proposed a VR headset design that changes the refractive lens with holographic optics and polarization-based optical folding. This allows the headset to be much lighter and more compact, like a strangely thick set of retro sunglasses.
” These 2 methods assist keep the optics as thin as possible while making the most effective usage of space,” said Facebook Research in a Monday article. “We anticipate that such lightweight and comfy type aspects might make it possible for prolonged VR sessions and new use cases, consisting of productivity.”
VR headsets typically require to be big in order to accommodate a thick, curved lens, which alters the angle of light from the display screen before it reaches your eyes. This is what makes items in VR appear further away than they in fact are..
Facebooks brand-new proof-of-concept headset changes this lens with holographic optics, which look like transparent sticker labels but bend light in the exact same way that a lens does. Facebook Research compares it to the holographic image on your charge card, just rather of creating a 3D scene it develops a lens. “The outcome is a dramatic decrease in density and weight,” wrote Facebook Research.
