In the future cloud-based gaming could be key to reducing the size and weight of virtual and augmented reality (VR/AR) devices, taking away a lot of the need to have a whole PC on your face. In a step towards that possibility, NVIDIA has announced its CloudXR platform software development kit (SDK) to enable streaming across 5G and enterprise networks.
Built on NVIDIA RTX GPUs, CloudXR has been designed to facilitate streaming of immersive XR experiences from anywhere, whether from a data centre or the cloud to connected headsets, Windows and Android devices.
Whether it’s over 5G, Wi-Fi or a high-performance network, CloudXR should enable graphics-intensive applications to be run on low-powered mobile devices thanks to NVIDIA’s GPU-powered edge servers. That means consumers can play the latest VR titles while businesses can speed up design reviews to increase creative productivity.
The SDK enables streaming of OpenVR applications to the aforementioned devices, wireless or tethered, and is currently in Early Access for developers to sign up to. The CloudXR platform includes NVIDIA RTX hardware, NVIDIA Quadro Virtual Workstation (QvDWS) drivers, and the CloudXR SDK.
To help push this technology forward NVIDIA has teamed up with Ericsson and Qualcomm Technologies as they look make wireless 5G VR a reality.
Qualcomm detailed its intentions earlier this year announcing the Snapdragon XR2 platform and it reference design headsets. While Ericsson its developing the high-performance 5G networks needed to connect everything.
While these steps are towards the future as the 5G rollout continues, those in the US can try cloud VR computing first-hand thanks to gaming service Shadow and its Shadow VR Exploration Program which arrived in beta last month. Or there’s Mozilla’s Hubs Cloud which allows organisations to build their own social locations depending on requirements.
VRFocus will continue its coverage of NVIDIA and its latest VR/AR advancements, reporting back with further updates.