Intel confirms its latest project
A couple of days ago Intel confirmed that they are working on a new Virtual Reality (VR) headset called Project Alloy. The special thing with the headset it that it's wireless, so there is no cables. Intel says that Project Alloy gives you the experience that you should get from a VR headset, but without any extraneous components.
The headsets contains the computational and graphics power necessary to create virtual images and an internal battery for power and, as 3D cameras and sensors. The sensors are powered by Intel´s RealSense motion tracking tech. The company´s CEO, Brian Krzanich, also says that the headset will be capable of "merged reality" which blends pictures, from the real world, like handheld objects into virtual environments.
At the Intel Developer Forum in San Francisco one person did a demo onstage, where the person was able to use a dollar bill in is physical hand as a lathe to shave down a virtual block of gold in a VR environment. "We believe the capability of Alloy and what it introduces is significant, it gives the opportunity to merge the physical and virtual world together." Says Krzanich. This means that the Project Alloy will allow you to mix the virtual reality and the real world.
This type of tech removes the need of complex sensors and setups. But Project Alloy doesn't seem to be as precise as other VR headsets with complex sensors, like the HTC Vive using Valve's Lighthouse laser tracking system. Other Virtual Reality headsets is blocking out the real world, and this creates a potential chance for a dangerous situation. Because this headset let's you mix the virtual and real world, this will reduce the risk of injures.
Project Alloy sounds a bit like Microsoft HoloLens. HoloLens blends in images from the real world to the virtual world, Microsoft is mostly describing this with mixed reality. The difference between them both is that Microsoft is focusing on Augmented Reality (AR), while Intel is focusing on Virtual Reality (VR).
Windows chief Terry Myerson confirmed that the Windows Holographic platform, which let's developers make apps for mixed reality, will come to Windows 10 PCs next year. This means that any AR or VR headset will let you run 3D or 2D apps designed for Windows 10, Myerson confirmed.
The last thing Krzanich confirms is that Alloy hardware soon will be open source. "Anybody can take the Alloy hardware, combine it with Windows Holographic, and build a world-class virtual reality system with any manufacturer they choose," Krzanich said.
What do you think of Project Alloy? I think it's a great idea and I hope they will continue develop it so it becomes even better!
Via: | The Verge |
-
Source: | Intel |
-
Image Credit: | Intel |
