Somnium’s PC VR headset allows you to program its sensors and buttons to meet your individual needs.
At the beginning of the year, social VR platform Somnium Space began teasing a new VR headset with a unique modular design. During the first-ever Somnium Space Connect event, Artur Sychov, CEO of Somnium Space, gave us a more detailed look at a combination standalone/PC VR headset centered around an open source community-driven software ecosystem.
The headset, which Sychov refers to as the “Somnium VR Headset”, is packed with some killer specs and designed specifically for a VR audience that doesn’t want to be tied to a specific app store or be boxed into any sort of platform restrictions.
“We wanted to create a headset that you truly own. We didn’t want to lock you down into our ecosystem,” said Sychov. “We didn’t not want to allow you to do things with your own items. If you buy a VR headset from Somnium Space, you truly own it.”
According to Somnium, the headset features a modular design that allows you to easily customize your experience. You can also remove the sides and bottom of the headset to add custom 3D printed accessories (up to 55 lbs!), making it a truly customizable VR headset. “We really believe in modularity,” said Sychov, adding, “with access to the platform, you’ll be able to extend the life of the headset.”
Another cool feature is that Somnium’s VR headset is completely programmable, which means you can dive into the system to change the actions of the buttons and sensors in order to meet your custom needs.
Somnium Space, which is best known for its open social VR platform that integrates blockchain and cryptocurrency for true ownership of digital goods and virtual land, partnered with VRgineers (makers of the XTAL 3 headset) to develop their own hardware. Though not as beefy as VRgineers’ XTAL 3 headset, which is designed for enterprise use, Somnium Space looks to raise the bar for non-enterprise VR headset expectations.
Sychov still believes in PC VR, declaring “Go PC VR!” Not only is Somnium’s headset a standalone VR headset, but it is also a natively wired PC headset. You can stream VR experiences directly from your PC to your headset via the built-in WiFi.
Internally, the Somnium VR headset features a Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2 processor, two 3.2 inch LCD panels with a 2880 x 2880 resolution, a 90Hz refresh rate that could possibly clock up to 120Hz, a 115 degree FOV, custom VRgineers lenses that are very similar to the same lenses in the XTAL headset, and inside out tracking powered by several onboard cameras. For improved tracking, the headset can also be used with standard ‘lighthouse’ trackers.
Located on the bottom of the headset are a series of ports that you can use for tethering, charging, and other accessories. There is also a MicroSD card slot in the headset. No word on if that’s for additional storage or if that’s the only storage.
During his presentation on the Somnium VR Headset, Sychov mentioned a lot of incredible features of their modular headset and is hopeful to have the hardware in the hands of consumers by Q4 of 2022. One thing he didn’t mention, however, was pricing. But again, this is a work-in-progress for Somnium Space. Instead of talking price, Sychov said he’d like to have people along for the ride in progress, which seems like a pretty good marketing approach to get VR users invested into the project. That said, some are speculating that the headset could be priced around $899.
You can watch the Somnium Space Connect Event in its entirety here. To learn more about Somnium Space, click here.
Feature Image Credit: Somnium Space
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