All Mode
Back in early January 2017, chip making giant – Intel – unveiled its Project Alloy VR headset that aims to bring the merits of merged (augmented and virtual combined) reality to its users. This project aims at making VR headsets completely wireless while putting all the computing power within the headset itself.
Intel’s Aim With Project Alloy
The great thing about Intel’s Project Alloy is that this is an open reference platform. Thus it provides an excellent starting point for all the interested companies who want to build their own all-in-one VR headsets. The Project Alloy VR Headset is likely to come with built-in multiple sensors for room-scale functionalities, inside-out tracking and others function. It would also host the Intel 7th generation chipset with PC like computational powers.
Image Credit: Intel
However, Project Alloy is currently in development stage and is expected to see the first light of the market until this year end. The good news, for now, is that some developers working closely with this headset project have unveiled few details of the upcoming prototype of Project Alloy.
Let’s have a look at the expected updates for the next Project Alloy prototype.
Better Computational Prowess with Power Efficiency
The next prototype for the Project Alloy headset is said to host the 7th-generation ‘Kaby Lake’ chipset. This series of chipsets have been designed by Intel itself, and the company claims them to be having faster and smoother computational capabilities with better power efficiency. This could be one of the most important areas where Intel is likely to put a lot of focus. As the Project Alloy headset aims to deliver fully standalone functionality, a larger battery life – for long-time immersive and engaging experiences – is a must!
Image Credit: UploadVR
In addition, this Intel chipset is capable enough to deliver immersive onboard graphics performance. As there are no strings attached to any high-end PC for drawing the computational power, Intel has to make sure that they offer built-in computational power which is at par with the existing premium VR headsets.
Enhanced Computer Vision Capabilities
This is one area of virtual reality which always looks forward to better technological inputs to make the user experience more intuitive, immersive and engaging. As-on-date, the existing prototype of Project Alloy makes use of Intel’s RealSense camera technology. Though the existing camera offers real-time depth mapping, some issues like scattered depth density, lower FOV, and higher latency needs to be addressed.
Image Credit: Intel
The upcoming prototype is said to feature the next-generation RealSense camera with a Movidious Computer Vision processing chipset. Last year, chip giant – Intel – acquired Movidious for its high-end computational chipset technology and it seems Intel aims to make the maximum advantage for this.
Intel’s RealSense camera along with the Movidious chipset is expected to deliver lower latency and faster depth mapping for immediate responses in “merged reality”.
Larger Field of View
Another major change that is proposed for the Project Alloy prototype is the increased Field-of-View. However, this information is quite vague in terms that Intel has not yet released any specific specs for existing prototype except for the fact that it is currently using Fresnel Lenses.
Image Credit: RoadtoVR
There is no clear indication as to how Intel plans to bring further improvisations in this area, but yes any enhancements in this region will always be a welcome move.
Further Expectations
As per analysts who have been closely associated with this project since its inception, Intel is already to a good start with the Project Alloy and is rigorously working towards giving it an upper edge. One area where Intel will have to initiate some serious efforts is the bulk of the headset.
This being a completely standalone headset featuring multiple sensors, the focus will be on making it compact and lighter for users to enjoy long hours of immersive entertainment.
Though, there are certainly some physical limitations with the size of the lenses used. So we expect some optimum use of miniaturised chipset for onboard computations and sensors.
Project Alloy and VR Porn
Image Credit: PressForm
During the announcement at the CES 2017 expo, Intel made no delay in showcasing the room-scale capabilities of Project Alloy headset along with its multiplayer feature. With more room-scale VR Porn gaming concepts coming around we believe Project Alloy could be one of the best choices for such an experience.
Also, increased FOV and incorporation of better lenses aims at delivering high-quality content. In this case watching VR Porn high-definition videos can certainly turn out to be a delightful and engaging experience for the VR Porn lovers.
We are quite optimistic and eager for Project Alloy to be available soon for retail use.
Intel seems to be working really fast and seems to grab that early spot for wireless headsets…. In just no time they are planning to come with a second and improved prototype and this is just great for the VR community
intel has been always been the pioneer in this tech along with oculus. Excited to see what will be coming in near future.
If Intel and other cos are really to work at this speed, we can soon expect high-performance VR headsets without any dangling cords…
Very happy to see Intel leading the development of true mobile VR, with true inside-out positional tracking.
This is much exciting for VR.