Sony wants to push the boundaries of VR with new patent

A new PlayStation patent suggests Sony is looking to expand its haptics technology beyond PS VR 2 and the DualSense

A new PlayStation patent shows Sony wants to continue investing in haptic feedback beyond the PS5 DualSense controller’s current capability and create a new type of immersion not beholden to a VR headset or AR glasses. The patent, published on Oct. 13, 2022, (which SegmentNext first uncovered) outlines Sony’s plans to create haptic vibrations in midair using ultrasonic soundwaves, possibly for the PS VR 2 or potentially for other, non-gaming uses as well.

You can view the full patent on Scribd.

“There is a need in the art for a mid-air haptic interface that imparts a degree of realism equal to that implemented by an immersive computing experience without the need for complex physical installations or other custom-designed venues,” Sony said in the patent application.

Rather than emitting these waves from a controller, Sony plans on creating some kind of projection and tracking device. The patent includes an image showing a person interacting with a virtual object whose parameters are, presumably, defined by the haptics. 

Another image shows the user interacting with objects in a larger room, and it seems Sony is looking further than just gaming applications for this new device. In the application’s background section, Sony outlines gaps in VR, AR, and traditional gaming technology – including the DualShock controller and Nintendo’s Joy-Cons – that make its new device worth creating, along with needs it can help meet in immersive cinema and other areas.

Written by Josh Broadwell on behalf of GLHF

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Here’s your first look at PS5’s VR headset

The PlayStation VR2 headset and VR2 Sense controllers have finally been revealed.

Sony has finally shown off the design for the brand new PlayStation VR2, the next-generation virtual reality headset designed for the PlayStation 5 console.

PlayStation VR was a surprisingly successful venture for Sony, even if the idea of a several hundred dollar peripheral put off many prospective buyers. Despite hesitance, it went on to sell well and has dozens of high-quality VR exclusives available for the platform.

Our new look at the PSVR’s successor comes courtesy of the PlayStation Blog and a post from Hideaki Nishino. In addition to the headset we also get to see the final revision of the VR2 Sense controller. The branding here seems to be an extension of the PS5 controller’s DualSense.

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Hideaki Nishino explains in the post that the PSVR2’s is intended to be more than functional, but; “become an attractive part of your living room decor,” which is certainly one way to look at it. The headset still uses the original PSVR design in many areas, such as the firm, adjustable headstrap, which is divisive among VR fans.

The blog also includes a design tidbit from Yujin Morisawa, who explains that the headset now includes a small vent on the inside to let air out and keep the lens from fogging up after extensive play. A nice move.

But what will be most exciting for anyone that owns a PlayStation VR headset currently is this piece of news: “the PS VR2 system comes in a simple, single cord set up so you can connect to your games immediately.” After the chaos PSVR owners have with breakout boxes, power cables and HDMI inputs, this is a God-send and will make the act of setting up and playing VR experiences much easier than the original.

The VR2 Sense controllers might be the most exciting part of this package, promising the same kind of detailed haptic feedback that you can experience on the DualSense controllers. If Sony’s promises all hold up this could easily be the biggest addition to the PSVR2 platform.

PlayStation VR2 development kits are already with game developers, but we currently can’t be sure when we’ll be able to buy PSVR2 headsets of our very own.

Written by Dave Aubrey on behalf of GLHF.

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