bionik – Augmented & Virtual Reality Confabulation

May 14, 2021

Upgrade Your Oculus Quest 2 Experience This Summer With Bionik Accessories

Bionik has made a name for itself in the virtual reality (VR) accessory market thanks to its Mantis VR headphones for PlayStation VR. This summer the company will be expanding its range with a new set of headphones as well as a facial interface specifically for Oculus Quest 2.

Rather than tailored to one headset the new Mantis VR headphones have been designed to fit multiple devices. The detachable audio system clips directly onto the head strap with a coiled cable plugging into the 3.5mm headphone jack. So there’s no excess cabling to worry about in comparison to a normal set of headphones and you can freely adjust them for the best placement.

From the details provided the new Mantis VR headphones will only clip to a rigid head strap system, so the standard soft strap supplied with the Oculus Quest 2 won’t be suitable. By the looks of it, the Elite Strap should suffice – so long as yours hasn’t managed to split. The Mantis VR system will retail for $59.99 USD when it arrives this summer.

And for Oculus Quest 2 owners looking to replace a damaged or dirty facial interface at a cheaper price than the official Oculus version then the Bionik Face Pad VR is coming. The company says the new face pad is made with “soft, absorbent hypoallergenic materials,” and “features ventilation portals for added airflow and breathability.” So it could be good for those who like to exercise in VR. The Bionik Face Pad VR will retail for $14.99.

Bionik’s latest accessories join a rapidly growing industry now that dives the Oculus Quest 2 are taking VR mainstream. From small companies like VR Cover which offers a range of add ons for multiple headsets and large corporations such as Logitech and its headphone and keyboard products, to 3D printed gun stocks, there are plenty of ways to augment your VR experience.

As the VR accessory market continues to grow, VRFocus will keep you updated.

October 27, 2018

Bionik Announces Mantis VR Headphones Now Have Official Licensing

Back in 2017, a company called Bionik released a set of headphones called Mantis that were designed to be integrated into the PlayStation VR set-up and provide high-quality audio without sacrificing the comfort or aesthetics of the device. Now the company has announced that it has concludes an agreement with Sony for the product to be an officially licensed product.

Thanks to the agreement, the Bionik Mantis headphones are now officially licensed for use exclusively with the PlayStation 4 and PlayStation VR in Europe, Africa, the Middle East, Russia, India and Oceania.

bionik Mantis image 3

The Mantis design means that the headphones units clip easily on to the headband of the PlayStation VR and can be easily adjusted or removed for different users or situations. The lightweight headphones support a range of positions, or can be easily flipped out of the way if needed. The design and colour scheme also blend well with the design of the PlayStation VR.

The officially licensed Mantis will include audio cable as well as on-ear and over-the-ear attachment options, which allows for more customisation options for PlayStation VR users.

“The Mantis was designed from its inception to complement and enhance the extraordinary PS VR experience as a natural extension of the headset,” said Amir Navid, Bionik’s SVP of Product Development. “We’re thrilled to partner with SIEE on the official licensed release of Mantis, and look forward to serving our SIEE region customers that have been excited for the Mantis’ debut. This kit will include everything you need for customized, integrated, and immersive sound made even richer thanks to PS VR’s 3D Audio capabilities.”

VRFocus previously reviewed the Bionik Mantis, giving it top marks and saying: “Bionik’s Mantis VR is an excellent accessory for the PlayStation VR, offering good functionality, good sound and perfect aesthetics. It is comfortable and lightweight and works perfectly alongside the PlayStation VR headset. Though the lack of noise cancelling will be off-putting for some, for most users this is a superb solution for sound in VR.”

bionik Mantis image 4

Further information can be found on the Bionik website. For future coverage on new and upcoming VR hardware and accessories, keep checking back with VRFocus.

August 1, 2017

Mantis PSVR Headphones Review: An Essential Accessory

I’ve said it several times: Sony’s PlayStation VR (PSVR) is my absolutely favorite VR headset on the market right now from a comfort perspective. Clearly, this was designed as a consumer product end-to-end and I love wearing it. However, it has a lot of problems. The screen door effect is noticeably worse than on the Vive or Rift, there is no true 360 or roomscale tracking, and the motion controllers (PS Move) are a poor substitute for Oculus Touch and the Vive wands.

However, there is another issue that’s bothered me ever since the PSVR launched that often goes overlooked and it’s the lack of a built-in audio solution. The Rift launched with excellent headphones that you can easily flip up or down and the Vive recently got a brand new headstrap that enables that same functionality. Now, the PSVR has its own approximation with the third-party PSVR Mantis heaphones by Bionik.

Bionik is a company that’s a made name for itself as of late by creating and selling hardware accessories like charging docks and controller mods for Xbox One, Switch, PS4, and even Samsung Gear VR. Now they’re realizing perhaps their best and most-desired product yet with the detachable Mantis PSVR headphones.

Before the Mantis I was using a white HyperX Cloud headset that goes fully over my entire ear. They’re extremely comfortable and I also use them for my tablet, Switch, Vive, PC, and pretty much everything else. However, it’s a hassle to constantly get up and go get them every time I need a headset. Since the PSVR has a built-in microphone and is always on its stand next to the couch when not in use, an elegant audio solution makes a lot more sense than lugging around a headset between every room in my house.

Luckily, installation is dead simple. All you do is clip the headphones onto each side of the headset by expanding the opening until its snug. I wiggled them a bit to make sure they were in the best spot then plugged them into the breakout box just like I would any other pair of headphones. After putting on the headset I just click each side down so it hangs in front of my ear, resting lightly just like the Rift headphones.

The material is different than that of the Rift, though. It doesn’t have a mesh-like texture and feels more like some type of plastic or leather exterior. The result is that they still feel extremely comfortable, but don’t press against my ear as much. The audio leak is a bit more noticeable as well for people sitting around the wearer, but that shouldn’t be an issue. Since the TV already replicates the PSVR’s audio no one should notice.

Now the main thing to be aware of is that, depending on what you want your headphones to accomplish, the Mantis may not be for you. If you’re looking for something that can block out all outside sound and fully encapsulate you in the illusion of VR, then this isn’t for you. The simple fact is that an on-ear hovering headphone is never going to be able to block out exterior sound like an over-ear sound cancelling headset can. That’s just not how sound works.

That being said, if you don’t mind a bit of outside sound, or if you actually want to be able to quickly lift an earpiece to hear what someone is saying, then these are excellent. As someone that demos VR a lot for friends and family being able to easily lift an earpiece and say something is a godsend.

The cable isn’t very long, basically just long enough to reach the audio port with a little bit of slack. If you don’t mind the extra hassle, finding some way to attach it to the cord already hanging down from the headset would be a good idea since there is really no reason to ever remove the Mantis from your PSVR once it’s setup. The clip-on design means you won’t find yourself ever using them for anything else.

Recommendation: Absolutely

Other than the necessary PS Camera, the PS Move controllers (required for some games,) and the PS Aim controller (used in some games,) we’d contend that the Mantis PSVR headphones may very well be the next best accessory for Sony’s VR headset. They clip-on easily, blend in perfectly, and solve an issue that’s been frustrating PSVR owners ever since the headset launched. Now let’s hope someone figures out a way to improve tracking or give the PS Move controllers analog sticks.

The Mantis is available starting today for $49.99. Visit the official website for more details.

Tagged with: bionik, mantis

July 14, 2017

Mantis Integrated PlayStation VR Headphones Coming August 1st

VR headset manufacturers are likely hard at work finding ways to improve and update the design and components to provide an even better product in the future. Third-parties are also building different peripherals to improve the user experience, and bionik has set a date for the release of their integrated PS VR headphones: August 1st.

Called Mantis, bionik’s design is a lightweight effort to decrease ear fatigue without sacrificing high-quality sound. It also eliminates the clutter of using other wired headsets by clipping right onto the PS VR headset with a tangle free setup that is easy to flip on and off.

“Our goal with Mantis was to make the immersive PlayStation VR experience more visceral and profound by blocking out distractions and reducing the amount of gear you need to put on,” says bionik’s SVP Product Development Amir Navid in the press release for the announcement. “It…allows you to suspend disbelief and focus on the virtual environment created.”

Navid’s mention that it helps to “suspend disbelief” is crucial. Having uncomfortable headphones or additional wires you get tangled in can completely derail a VR experience. Mantis will be available on Amazon for the suggested price of $49.99 and will be coming to other retailers in the near future.

Tagged with: bionik

July 13, 2017

bionik’s Mantis Detachable PlayStation VR Headphones Arrive Next Month

When you buy one of Sony Interactive Entertainment’s (SIE) PlayStation VR headsets you’re presented with a question. To fully enjoy virtual reality (VR) you also need sound, so you can use the earbuds that are supplied in the box, or – if you have some – a decent set of over-ear cans to enjoy the 3D spatial sound developers have carefully crafted. If you’re in the former camp and are looking to move away from the earbuds to a new set of headphones bionik will be releasing its Mantis solution next month.

Aiming for a happy medium between earbuds and big over-ear cans, bionik’s Mantis headphones have been designed specifically for PlayStation VR, as an integrated – and detachable – solution very similar to that of Oculus Rift. The headphones simply clip onto the headband of the headset and then plug into the audio jack.

bionik Mantis image 2 “Our goal with Mantis was to make the immersive PlayStation VR experience more visceral and profound by blocking out distractions and reducing the amount of gear you need to put on,” said Amir Navid, bionik’s SVP Product Development. “Sound is an integral part of how we experience our surroundings. It taps into our emotions, it changes how we feel about things. The Mantis allows you to experience this powerful new technology with all your senses engaged. It integrates seamlessly with the PSVR hardware with minimal size and weight and allows you to suspend disbelief and focus on the virtual environment created.”

The Mantis headphones will launch on 1st August with a suggested retail price of $49.99 USD, available through Amazon.

Aside from possibly upgrading their audio solution, over the next few weeks PlayStation VR owners will also be looking at expanding their content libraries as a bunch of videogames are coming out. Fantastic Contraption launched this week, with SUPERHOT VR, Dino Frontier, CastleStorm VR, Theseus and Archangel all due out soon.

For the latest updates on PlayStation VR, keep reading VRFocus.

June 9, 2017

Bionik accessories improve Switch battery life, charging, and internet access

Bionik is looking to expand the battery life and charging capabilities of the Nintendo Switch with a number of new accessories aimed at the console. They'll all be available to try out at this year's E3 show.

The post Bionik accessories improve Switch battery life, charging, and internet access appeared first on Digital Trends.

May 5, 2017

Hands-On With Bionik’s Rift-Style Mantis PSVR Headphones

Since we’re still in the first generation of real consumer-grade VR headsets, no company was going to get it absolutely perfectly from the get-go. The HTC Vive has the most expansive, scaleable, open, and impressive tracking system with its lighthouses, the Oculus Touch controllers are our favorite tracked motion controllers on the market, and the PlayStation VR’s (PSVR) headset design is easily the most comfortable.

One other thing people seem to be particularly fond of as well are the built-in headphones that came with every Oculus Rift. They simply slide down and hang right in front of your ears, only making the slightest bit of contact, and are easily adjusted or moved in case you need to hear something or someone from the real world for a second.

HTC is releasing a similar add-on for the Vive in June and now Bionik, a third-party gaming peripheral company (similar to Nyko, for example) are releasing a similar set for Sony’s PSVR. Instead of installing them into the headset itself, you just clip them on the sides of the PSVR. From there you can plug them into the headphone jack on the volume slider and everything works seamlessly. They rest on top of your ears, without pressing against them, and offer audio quality that’s essentially on par with the Rift’s.

The material itself is a bit different though as it’s not soft foam like the Rift’s headphone design, it’s more of a smooth glossy finish. It feels fine while wearing and I didn’t notice any sound leaking when the representative from Bionik showed me the headset.

Thankfully they fully support 360-degree audio so they will be able to deliver strong, believable sound all around you. Stylistically they even match the headset perfectly with the white and black colors. Bionik tells me that was the plan from the very start, as they wanted it to look as close to an official product that was designed to always be on the headset as possible.

Everyone has their preferred headphones they use — I use the same pair of HyperX headphones for standard PC usage such as audio and video calls, listening to music, using my Vive, playing my Switch or Vita, the Gear VR, and my PSVR. They go with me everywhere. But there’s something to be said for a device that doesn’t need anything extra plugging in and just has it all right there, attached, and ready to go.

Bionik’s Mantis headphones for PSVR are expected to release later this year and will retail for approximately $49.99. You can find more information on the official website.

Tagged with: Bionik

March 3, 2017

PSVR Gets Rift-Like Audio Solution with ‘Mantis’ Aftermarket Headphones

Peripheral manufacturer Bionik are building a Rift-life aftermarket integrated headphone solution for the PlayStation VR called ‘Mantis’ and, they look pretty neat too.

Regardless of which VR headset you personally may prefer, there’s little argument that the Oculus Rift’s solution to the problem of tangled, headphone cables is pretty elegant. By contrast, having to deal with separate ‘phones and the inevitable cable tangles they involve with the HTC Vive and PlayStation VR is a hassle.

For PSVR at least, owners of Sony’s VR headset can rejoice as peripheral manufacturer Bionik has announced it’s bringing a solution to the device that looks very much inspired by the Oculus Rift’s. The Mantis comprises clip-on, on ear headphones that slot onto the PSVR’s headband, of course then hooking into the standard 3.5mm jack on the control unit as any other would. As with the Rift, once the headphones are in place, they can be flipped up and adjusted for comfort – or to temporarily just get them out of the way.

The solution looks good, although Bionik does seem to be reaching a little for filling out its feature list quoting “Creates an immersive experience that puts you directly in the game” – so, like any other headset really. Marketing spiel aside, we suspect Bionik may find a market for the add-on devices, especially as the recently announced install base is fast approaching 1 Million units. The Mantis is marked as ‘coming soon’ and is currently priced $49.99.