Sony launches a “space” VR headset with smart control ring

Sony is previewing a new “spatial content creation” system designed to let users edit and shape 3D models while wearing a virtual reality headset. The company showed off the headset along with a pair of unique controllers during a presentation at CES 2024 today.

The headset uses the Snapdragon XR2+ Gen 2 platform and is equipped with a 4K OLED display, and is mainly aimed at players such as PlayStation VR. On the contrary, Sony CEO Kenichiro Yoshida said that this new headset is built for professionals engaged in 3D work, allowing the wearer to expand the “creative space” by superimposing virtual objects into the physical space.

This demonstration shows a user manipulating a virtual object using two controllers: a ring and a pointer that fits in your hand. At the same time, the front part of the headset can be flipped, allowing users to switch between virtual space and physical space. Sony said its “proprietary rendering technology” can “real-time, high-definition, and realistic rendering of the textures of 3D objects and facial expressions of characters.”

“With seamless access to virtual objects, creators can work in a real space for an immersive development experience,” Yoshida said. Sony previously made a “spatial reality display” that allowed users to view 3D digital objects using face and eye tracking. The technology here is obviously very different, but it seems to be designed for the same type of professional content creator.

Sony says the new system will launch later this year, but there’s no word on pricing yet. However, it may create some competition with the Apple Vision Pro, which starts shipping next month.