pico – Page 5 – Augmented & Virtual Reality Confabulation

January 8, 2020

‘Firefox Reality’ VR Web Browser to Launch on Pico Headsets Soon

Mozilla announced at CES this week that it’s bringing Firefox Reality, its VR web browser, to Pico headsets soon.

Launched in late 2018, Firefox Reality is a made-for-VR web browser that includes the ability to sync your Firefox Account, send tabs, sync history and bookmarks, and easily browse a curated selection of WebVR content.

Along with Firefox Reality comes Mozilla Hubs, the web-based social VR platform, both of which are said to arrive on all Pico headsets sometime in Q1 2020.

Hubs allows users to simply follow a hyperlink to quickly collaborate in a customized virtual space, replete with the ability to upload 3D assets, chat in VR, and share documents and photos. The web-based, low-poly social space is accessible to both VR headsets and desktop web browsers, making it potential tool for businesses looking for a quick way to shift in-person meetings from the physical to the virtual.

Pico Unveils Neo 2 Standalone Headset with Integrated Eye-tracking

Pico Interactive, the company behind a number of enterprise-focused standalone VR headsets, unveiled their newest line of Neo 2 headsets, one of which includes integrated eye-tracking from Tobii.

Neo 2 has been floating around for a few months now in its prototype form, albeit without the newly unveiled addition of eye-tracking. Venture Beat’s Jeremy Horowitz points out that headset made a few public appearances late last year when it was featured using Qualcomm’s Boundless XR streaming tech, which allows content streaming from a VR-ready PC over wireless 2X2 MIMO 802.11ac 5G link with a MIMO 5G router.

Powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 845 processor with Boundless XR, the six degrees of freedom (6DOF) Pico Neo 2 line of standalone headsets includes both the Neo 2 Standard and Neo 2 Eye. Both are said to ship later this year, with Neo 2 Standard priced at $700 and the Neo 2 Eye at $900.

Tobii, the Sweden-based eye-tracking firm, says its integrated eye-tracking in the Neo 2 Eye allows for both improved graphics and longer battery life thanks to its dynamic foveated rendering, which is said to increase framerates “by up to 66% and reduces shading loads by up to 72%.”

Eye-tracking in VR allows for a few other things too outside of foveated rendering though. Knowing where a user is looking can unlock some insights into user behavior, something Tobii says can be used in a variety of use cases such as training and assessment, simulation, knowledge and skills transfer, and customer research. Other uses include eye-based UI input and enhancement of avatars for social VR interaction.

Neo 2 Specs

Resolution – 3,840 × 2,160@75Hz, PPI: 818, 5.5 inch x 1 VR TFT
FOV – 101 degree，Fresnel lenses
IPD – Adaptive, 55mm – 71mm
Tracking – Inside-out 6DOF Head tracking and Guardian System
Controllers – 6DOF haptic controllers
Audio – Integrated Spatial stereo speaker, Dual Mic EC/NR, 3.5mm Jack
Connections – USB-C 3.0 Extendable 3.5mm Power DC Jack
Eye Tracking (Neo 2 Eye) – Gaze data output frequency (binocular), 90Hz refresh

We have feet on the ground in Las Vegas for CES 2020, which takes place January 7 – 10. Check back soon for all things AR/VR to come from one of the world’s largest consumer electronics shows.

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January 5, 2020

CES 2020: Pico Neo 2 Pricing Revealed Alongside New Eye Tracking Model

China-based VR hardware company Pico Interactive announced the specifications and planned prices for its upcoming Neo 2 standalone VR headset. The company also revealed a new model in the line called the Neo 2 Eye which incorporates eye-tracking technology in partnership with Tobii.

The Neo 2 line is a successor to the original Pico Neo headset and the company plans to market this one toward businesses. The Pico Neo 2, now called the Pico Neo 2 Standard, was first revealed in March of 2019 but specifications for the device weren’t revealed until now. The headset is priced around $700 while Pico also plans to sell the Neo 2 Eye for around $900 offering the same specifications with the addition of eye tracking.

The company claims the headset includes a display with 4K resolution, 105 degree field of view and a 90Hz refresh rate powered by a Snapdragon 845 alongside 128 GB storage. Pico also says it is going to separately sell the Pico Stream Box using a 60 GHz wireless connection to play PC VR games via a nearby computer.

pico neo 2 eye

Pico claims the Neo 2 Eye model will use eye tracking technology from Tobii to “improve daily enterprise operations and applications.” Tobii is the same company that provided the eye tracking technology for the HTC Vive Pro Eye. We gave our impressions of the technology back at CES this time last year, and Tobii later went on to launch their eye-tracking SDK at GDC a few months later.

The Neo 2 headsets will employ full 6 degrees of freedom with inside out tracking and the company says it uses “electromagnetic” tracking with its controllers, pictured below.

pico neo 2 controllers

This tracking technology may benefit from resistance to occlusion but may be heavier to hold. We’ll plan to see the device at CES in Las Vegas and hopefully report back more details and impressions.

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September 17, 2019

Zerolight, Pico & Qualcomm Unveil Boundless XR Wireless PC Concept at EWTS

Tech companies are getting very excited about the rollout of 5G, especially when it comes to the possibilities for wireless virtual reality (VR). Today, Zerolight, Qualcomm Technologies and Pico Interactive have announced a PC concept called Boundless XR, showcasing a fully wireless demo at the EWTS event this week.

EWTS Press Shot

Designed to be a precursor to Boundless XR over 5G, this demonstration is an untethered walking VR experience that will enable users to configure and explore a range of Cadillac vehicles in high definition thanks to Zerolight, without the need for external sensors.

Using a Pico prototype headset, Qualcomm will replicate the high bandwidth and low latency of 5G on its booth by rendering on a PC and streamed directly via a local 60-GHz wireless connection. When it comes to the 5G version will move from local hardware to 5G Mobile Edge Compute (MEC) infrastructure.

“We’re excited to see boundless XR for PC, which we unveiled at GDC 2019, come to life with ZeroLight for this Cadillac VR showcase,” said Brian Vogelsang, senior director of product management, Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. in a statement. “ZeroLight’s enterprise-focused solution demonstrates significant commercial potential, especially as we lay the foundation for a 5G connected future which will help deliver immersive, untethered experiences that transform XR for the consumer and the enterprise.”

Tethered XR

“It is vital that we ensure our technology is optimised for both accessibility and scalability. This showcase, along with our inclusion in the XEP initiative, marks a significant step towards achieving this through the migration of our award-winning XR solutions into the edge cloud. With the imminent arrival of 5G, we will soon have the high bandwidth and low latency required to deliver this on live projects without reducing the quality of the experience,” comments Barry Hoffman, Chief Strategy Officer, ZeroLight.

The overall aim is to provide mass-market customers with access to enterprise-level processing power, so they can unbox a wireless headset with inside-out tracking and step into a rich and vibrant digital universe. These are the early stages and VR headsets will also need to be compatible. When that does happen, VRFocus will keep you updated.

May 7, 2019

The Pico G2 4K Headset now Available in North America and Europe

If there’s one thing the virtual reality (VR) industry and its fans aren’t short of it’s new headsets. HP Reverb arrived yesterday while Oculus Rift S and Oculus Quest hit the shelves later this month. And let’s not forget Valve Index of course. Today, Chinese headset manufacturer Pico has released its new device, the Pico G2 4K, for North American and European enterprise use.

Pico G2 4k

Solely designed for business use, the new Pico G2 4K features an LDC display boasting a 3840 x 2160 resolution, with a refresh rate of 75Hz and a PPI of 818, all powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 processor. Weighing in at 278g, the headset has 32GB of storage (upgradable with MicroSD cards up to 256GB), 3 degree’s of freedom (3DoF) tracking, plus compatibility with the Pico Store and Viveport for content.

VRFocus went hands-on with the Pico G2 4K during CES 2019 in January, finding that the small amount of content being demoed ‘did look stunning on the new 4K screens’.

In addition to the launch announcement, Pico has also begun a new partnership with Headjack which develops apps and business solutions for the VR market. “As we introduce our new G2 4K headset into North America and Europe, we also continue to align ourselves with leading business services within the VR and AR industry. With Headjack, we felt that both our current and future business partners could easily create and control white-label VR apps through their intuitive tools,” said Leland Hedges, Commercial Director, Pico Interactive, EMEA in a statement.

Pico G2 4k

“Upon hearing about Pico’s VR headsets from our clients and their desire to build out content in an enclosed, branded environment, we did some research into Pico Interactive and saw a perfect fit between our tools and the Pico hardware. We were particularly interested in their native Kiosk Mode found in every headset and were wowed by their latest G2 4K VR headset,” adds Coen Kraaijvanger, Commercial Director at Headjack.

For businesses interested in the Pico G2 4K head on over to the website to make an enquiry. VRFocus will continue its coverage of the latest Pico headsets, reporting back with any new updates.

March 20, 2019

Pico Neo 2 mit PC-Streaming vorgestellt

Gerade findet in den USA die GDC 2019 statt und auch Pico nutzt die Bühne, um eine neue VR-Brille vorzustellen. Die Pico Neo 2 folgt dem VR845 Referenzdesign von Qualcomm und dementsprechend kann die kabellose VR-Brille auch Daten von einem PC empfangen.

Pico Neo 2 mit PC-Streaming vorgestellt

Die Pico Neo 2 soll in der zweiten Hälfte des Jahres auf den Markt kommen. Einen Preis nennt der Hersteller noch nicht, jedoch kostet das Development Kit von Qualcomm 1600 US-Dollar und die Pico Neo 1 kostete zum Start 749 US-Dollar.

Wenn die VR-Brille autark betrieben wird, kann sie auf den Viveport M zugreifen und den Content aus dem mobilen Store von HTC nutzen. Wird die Brille drahtlos mit einem PC verbunden (60-GHz-Verbindung), kann der Viveport und dessen Inhalte mit der Pico Neo 2 genutzt werden. Ein Support für SteamVR ist noch nicht offiziell angekündigt, jedoch ist es sehr wahrscheinlich, dass sich die Brille mit SteamVR verwenden lassen wird.

Aktuell gibt es noch keine Bilder von der Pico Neo 2 und noch keine weiteren Details zur Hardware. Wir halten euch auf dem Laufenden.

(Quelle: Upload VR)

Der Beitrag Pico Neo 2 mit PC-Streaming vorgestellt zuerst gesehen auf VR∙Nerds. VR·Nerds am Werk!

March 19, 2019

Pico Neo 2 Is A Standalone VR Headset Which Can Also Wirelessly Connect To Your PC

At GDC this week Qualcomm announced an update to their VR845 reference design which allows it to also wirelessly connect to a gaming PC. The first headset to be based off this design and using its technology is the Pico Neo 2.

The Neo 2 will launch in the second half of this year. They aren’t announcing price just yet, but the Neo 1 was $749 and the Qualcomm VR845 development kit is $1600 so don’t expect it to be cheap.

In standalone mode the headset will have access to Viveport M– HTC’s mobile store used on the Vive Focus Plus. That means you’re not going to be getting access to the same level of games as Oculus Quest. But if you’re using your PC for games, standalone mode should be sufficient for media viewing.

In wireless PC mode it will work with HTC’s Viveport PC store, but it will likely work with SteamVR also thanks to that platform’s open driver model. Yes that’s right, you should be able to play SteamVR games wirelessly on this headset.

The wireless connection to the PC uses 60 GHz technology, just like the HTC Vive wireless adapter and TPCast. That allows for significantly higher bandwidth than WiFi and for low compression with low latency, but has to be within line of sight of the headset and needs a dedicated transmitter- not your router. This will likely add significantly to the cost, so it’ll be interesting to see whether the transmitter is included or sold separately.

There are no images of the Neo 2 or further details yet, but we’ll keep you updated as soon as Pico provides further information.

Tagged with: GDC, gdc 2019, Pico, Pico Neo, qualcomm, Standalone VR, VR headsets

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January 28, 2019

Hands-on With Pico G2 4K: Looking Prettier Than Ever

The consumer virtual reality (VR) space is going to have changed a great deal by the end of 2019, mainly due to the addition of standalone head-mounted displays (HMD). Oculus Quest is gathering the most interest it seems, with HTC Vive Focus still due a western release – and Vive Cosmos can sort of be included – plus there’s Chinese standalone specialist Pico with its newest device, the G2 4K, which the company had on show during CES 2019.

If you’ve not heard of Pico before, the company has always made standalone HMDs, such as the Pico Neo and Pico Goblin. It was during 2018 the Pico launched the G2 range, a device which uses the Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 XR platform, dual LDC screens and a 101° field-of-view. However, the market is asking for more, with the likes of HTC Vive Pro and Pimax going down the route of improving resolution, reducing the screendoor effect that plagues some headsets. With TV manufacturers pushing the 4K standard across their ranges for a number of years now, Pico has followed suit with the new headset, designed more towards enterprise than consumer markets.

When it comes to first impressions, the Pico G2 4K isn’t really that dissimilar to the rest of the company’s headset range, with a fairly generic design to the facial unit and quick release fabric straps either side and on top. What is noticeable before putting the headset on is the lump of plastic that goes at the back of your head. This is the battery, placed there to help evenly distribute weight better. And does it? It certainly seemed so, with less weight on the front there didn’t seem to be as much pressure on the bridge of my nose, perfect for longer VR sessions, whether that’s watching a movie or engaging in a conference call.

As for the main event, what was shown did look stunning on the new 4K screens. As you’d hope to expect the clarity was pin sharp, with no discernible screendoor effect. The demo was limited to viewing very high quality close up images of bugs, being able to pick out individual hairs and spikes on their spindly legs. Maybe not everyone’s cup of tea, the level of clarity and richness of colour almost made it look as if you were staring at museum exhibits.

Pico Definitely ticking the boxes when it came to displaying the punchy wow factor of the 4K screens, it would have been nice to have seen a little more. A 360-degree video, for example, to look at how the screens handle movement and possibly content from a lower resolution source. Even so, I think this is the right direction for Pico to head in, headsets do need greater resolution and to do away with screendoor once and for all.

Even though this is Pico’s top end headset, when it comes to standalone rivals, it’s more of an Oculus Go upgrade than a direct rival to Oculus Quest or Vive Focus. This is primarily due to the inside-out tracking the two headsets boast, giving rise to greater freedom in VR thanks to roomscale and 6DoF controllers. As such Pico G2 4K is far more suited to institutions which are looking to showcase immersive content, and want a headset with as higher resolution as possible in a convenient form factor, which the Pico G2 4K does very nicely.

January 15, 2019

CES 2019: A Recap of the Latest VR & AR Tech

Last week was CES 2019 – as if you didn’t know already – the biggest technology event in the world, held in Las Vegas every year. It’s a week where companies from around the globe showcase their latest wares, from early prototypes to products that’ll be available over the course of the next year. VRFocus was there to check out the very latest in virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR) and mixed reality (MR) gadgets and gizmo’s, so here’s a little round up of what was on display.

For those who say VR is a dead gimmick then they’ve obviously not been to CES and its dedicated VR & Gaming area in the South Hall. The place was packed with interesting innovations, from new headsets, to tracking solutions and much much more. There was also the Sands Convention, playing host to even more booths, with the Eureka Park area, in particular, a bewildering array of small booths showcasing a myriad of different ideas, like being in the beating heart of the tech industry.

It was in these hallowed halls that VRFocus came across companies like Ximmerse and its AR headset, or better known Pimax with its 5K Plus and 8K head-mounted displays (HMDs). FinchShift was proudly demoing its new wireless 6DoF controllers, and Qualcomm had its prototype headset on display. AntiLatency is a company working on positional tracking that can be attached to a range of devices, while 3dRudder was at the show to demo its new foot controller for PlayStation VR.

On the AstroReality booth the company displayed its new AR education tech for learning about the solar system, then we had a play with Orqa’s upcoming FPV.One headset designed for drones. Away from the show VRFocus went hands-on with The VOID and Ralph Breaks VR and saw the Hurricane 360 VR ride. Pico was on hand with is new enterprise-focused G2 4K standalone headset, and Blueprint Reality displayed its latest MR video making software MixCast Moments.

There’s even more than that so check out the video below for VRFocus’ recap. We will be bringing more in-depth write-ups of the tech on display, so check back every day for more exciting VR and AR news.

January 14, 2019

CES 2019: Hands-On With Pico’s G2 4K Enterprise Standalone VR Headset

Pico showed off the 4K variation of its G2 standalone all-in-one 3DOF VR headset this year at CES and we got the chance to check it out and go hands-on from the show floor. Historically Pico has always been one of those companies that is able to craft some surprisingly impressive hardware (especially in China) but it never quite seemed to find its footing in the software department for consumers with admittedly mixed overall results — even as a Vive Wave supported device.

As a result, Pico recently made the decision to shift to a primarily enterprise-focused strategy, especially with the Pico G2 4K headset. The new headset even has a “Kiosk Mode” for streamlined demo use cases. In fact Pico already has confirmed use cases from businesses that deal with the visually impaired, plane passengers and dental patients manage anxiety, and in-transit entertainment for public transportation.

The “G” in “G2” stands for “Goblin” as this is the second iteration of its Goblin line of products. The original Pico Goblin got a (mostly) positive review from us and the base G2 was originally unveiled back in August. Now, the G2 4K ups the resolution for an all-around crisper experience.

The Pico G2 4K features a combined resolution of 3840×2160 with a 75Hz refresh rate and is powered by the Snapdragon 835, the same chipset as the Oculus Quest. It’s got 32GB storage and 4GB RAM with both the Pico Store and Viveport M as marketplaces.

The Pico G2 4K VR headset at CES 2019.

At their booth at CES I tried out two experiences: an immersive video featuring extremely high-detail insects with very close-up angles and a simple horror game that had me walking around a haunted house. The first one was a great demonstration of how sharp the visuals are, something that a lot of enterprise customers hold in high regard. The second demo looked like a port of a budget Google Cardboard game and didn’t have much business as a showcase piece of software.

The G2 4K fills a very specific niche in the market. On one end of the spectrum you’ve got devices like the Oculus Go, which targets consumers primarily as a 3DOF headset with a single 3DOF controller, and then on the other end is the enterprise Vive Focus (a 6DOF headset with both 3DOF and 6DOF controllers) as well as the forthcoming consumer Oculus Quest (a 6DOF headset with two 6DOF controllers). If you’re interested in 6DOF solutions, then the Pico Neo is more inline with what you’re looking for.

Since the Pico G2 4K is still a 3DOF headset with just a single 3DOF controller, it’s almost as if you upgraded the visuals slightly on an Oculus Go and removed the Oculus Store in favor of a more free-form ecosystem. That’s about what you’ve got here.

The only real major issue I had with the G2 4K is the head strap. At the back of the strap is where the battery is located and the T-strap that goes across the top of your head to connect the headset to the battery is extremely short. So short, in fact, that it literally didn’t fit over my head. During my demo I had to physically hold the headset in place with my free hand which was awkward and uncomfortable.

When I pointed this out the PR representative chuckled and said they have to do the same thing. That’s…not good? Supposedly they’re working on extending the strap, but it’s a baffling design. I couldn’t loosen it at all whatsoever.

Assuming they get the strap fixed the G2 4K is a really nice enterprise 3DOF headset. If you have no need for consumer-facing application or 6DOF tracking it seems like a good starting point for business applications. The Pico G2 4K releases in North America in the first half of 2019 — the price is still undetermined. Check out the website for more details.

Tagged with: CES, G2 4K, Pico

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