At CES 2024, Sony unveiled its latest innovation, a spatial content creation system aimed at 3D design and animation professionals. This headset and controller combination aims to bridge the gap between the virtual and physical realms, offering creators a unique immersive experience.
Unlike its sister, the PlayStation VR, this headset is not aimed at gamers. Instead, it features 4K high-resolution OLED displays powered by the Snapdragon XR2+ Gen 2 platform, which will meet the needs of professionals who demand precision and detail in their work.
Sony CEO Kenichiro Yoshida emphasized the system’s ability to “expand the scope for creativity by overlaying virtual objects on physical spaces.” This is achieved through a unique controller setup that replaces traditional joysticks with a finger-worn ring and a handheld pointer. These intuitive tools mimic natural gestures, allowing creators to easily manipulate virtual objects as if they were physically present in the room.
But what about when you need a break from virtual reality? Sony has taken care of this. The front of the headset tilts up, seamlessly bringing users back to the physical world. This flexibility ensures that creators can stay connected to their surroundings while enjoying the benefits of an immersive virtual workspace.
Sony is no stranger to the world of 3D creation. Their previous spatial reality display offered a taste of the technology, but the new system goes a step further. It boasts a “proprietary rendering technology” capable of delivering real-time, high-definition textures and realistic facial expressions. This level of detail promises to revolutionize the way 3D models are created and visualized.
Although the exact release date and price remain unknown, Sony has confirmed that the system will be available sometime later this year. It will compete with Apple’s Vision Pro, which is due to hit stores next month. However, Sony’s focus on professional creators and intuitive controls may give them an edge in this emerging market.
