Google at the Google I/O 2017 announced its standalone Daydream VR headset, as expected. HTC’s VIVE and Lenovo will be building these headsets that are coming later this year. Google will also create a standalone headset reference design powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 VR platform. Since it is an untethered headset that doesn’t require a smartphone like the first generation Daydream headset, and this comes with positional head-tracking.
Regarding the headset, HTC Video, said:
We have been working closely with developers and consumers to define the best VR experiences over the past few years, and we are perfectly positioned to deliver the most premium standalone headset and user experience. Vive’s standalone VR headset will provide a deeper and more immersive portable VR experience than ever before.
These company did not provide any other details about these headsets.
The Qualcomm reference design also includes custom specifications for tracking cameras and other sensors that make the best use of the Tango-based tracking technology Google has placed in the headset.
Commenting on the new headset, Keith Kressin, senior vice president, product management, Qualcomm Technologies, Inc., said:
We are thrilled to once again work with Google and offer a powerful premium Snapdragon experience for devices on the Daydream platform. Our companies share the same vision: to make it possible for everyone to enjoy rich and immersive VR experiences on a smartphone device or a dedicated VR head-mounted display while being fully mobile, rather than being restricted by cables or limited to predefined rooms setup for outside-in tracking.
Clay Bavor, vice president, virtual reality, Google, said:
The Daydream standalone headset reference design created in close partnership with Qualcomm will enable manufacturers to build a whole new category of VR devices. These headsets have everything needed for VR, built right into the headset itself and are as easy to use as picking them up. They’ll feature WorldSense for positional tracking right out of the box without any external equipment. We’re thrilled that headsets will begin to hit shelves later this year.