Sensics revealed a new high-resolution VR HMD with ruggedized features designed to meet the needs of location based entertainment facilities. The new HMD also features a higher resolution than consumer headsets offer.
Consumer sales for virtual reality hardware may not have met the expectations of investors and some critics, but you would be hard pressed to make that argument about commercial facilities adopting VR. Location based VR entertainment facilities are popping up all over the world at a rapid pace.
HTC got behind the VR arcade concept with the Viveport Arcade commercial licensing platform and Valve also offers a commercial licensing program for SteamVR content. Several arcades have adopted HTC’s hardware, including the new Bandai Namco-sponsored VR-Zone Shinjuku, which offers a Mario Kart VR experience. Furthermore, several companies from around the world are working on large scale location based VR entertainment. Companies like The Void, which offers a Ghostbuster’s experience at Madame Tussaud’s in Time’s Square, and Zero Latency, which is about to open a facility (it’s ninth location) at the MGM Grand Hotel & Casino.
Curiously, these location-based VR entertainment facilities don’t offer superior hardware compared to what you can get for home. Obviously, the Vive-equipped facilities feature the Vive VR system, which you can have at home. The large-scale VR attractions often feature less impressive hardware.
The last time we touched base with The Void, the company was still struggling to develop its in-house Rapture HMD. We were initially told that the Rapture headset would debut alongside the Ghostbuster’s experience, but we later learned the company pushed forward with Oculus DK2 hardware instead. Zero Latency’s hardware is a little bit better, but if we’re honest, not by a lot. The company uses OSVR HDK2 headsets, which offers better resolution than the Oculus dev kits that The Void uses, but the HDK2 isn’t designed for consumer use—especially not in a commercial establishment. The HDK2 is among the most uncomfortable headsets we’ve tried on, so we were surprised to see it used for a commercial installation.
Location based VR entertainment facilities really need a headset that offers a better experience than you can get at home. Evidently, Sensics saw the gap in the market and went for it. The company revealed a new HMD (currently named Goggles for Public VR) that offers a premium visual experience and is built to withstand abuse.
“Our public VR products help operators deliver a premium guest experience,” said Yuval Boger, CEO of Sensics. “There is no longer need to accept the limitations of existing consumer products. Customers expect unique out-of-home VR experience. Sensics helps operators deliver the magic of VR at a higher level.”
Sensics offers its commercial headset with two different display options. You can get a 2160 x 1200 model, which is the same resolution as the HTC Vive, Oculus Rift, and OSVR HDK2. And now, you can also pick up a higher resolution model that boasts 2880 x 1600 pixels. Both headsets operate at 90Hz, but Sensics said the higher resolution model supports lower refresh rates if the host computer isn’t powerful enough to deliver 90Hz at that resolution.
The higher resolution is nice, but Sensics’ new headset has a lot more going for it than a better display. For example, Sensics’ public VR headset features hyper-allergenic face cushions that are easy to remove, reusable, and machine washable. The headset also includes two internal fans that help reduce sweating, and they keep the electronics and screens from developing condensation.
Perhaps the most interesting development about the new headset from Sensics is the interchangeable head strap system, which helps speed up the process of getting new players into the headset. Sensics’ solution allows users to put the head strap on without the HMD while they wait in line and then snap the HMD onto the head strap when they’re ready to play.
Sensics said that pre-production units of the high-resolution HMD are now available for $2,590 in “sample quantities.” Larger quantity orders should be available later this year.
