When PlayStation VR2 released earlier this year, it offered players a chance to experience virtual game worlds bristling with detail and immersive features. PS VR2 was the culmination of several years of development, which included multiple prototypes and testing approaches. To learn more, we asked PS VR2's Product Manager Yasuo Takahashi about the development process of the innovative headset and PlayStation VR2 Sense Controller, and also gained insight into the various prototypes that were created as part of this process.

PlayStation Blog: When did development for the PS VR2 headset start?
Yasuo Takahashi: Research on future VR technology was being conducted even prior to the launch of the original PlayStation VR as part of our R&D efforts. After PS VR's launch in 2016, discussion around what the next generation of VR would look like began in earnest. We went back and reviewed those R&D findings and we started prototyping various technologies at the beginning of 2017. Early that same year, we began detailed conversations on what features should be implemented in the new product, and which specific technologies we should explore further.

Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE) announced today the global launch of its next generation virtual reality headset, PlayStation VR2. Featuring high fidelity visuals, new sensory features and enhanced tracking, PlayStation VR2 takes virtual reality gaming to a whole new level, enabling players to feel a heightened range of sensations unlike any other. The PlayStation VR2 headset and included PlayStation VR2 Sense controller is available at the recommended retail price of $549.99 / €599.99 / £529.99 / ¥74,980

"Providing extraordinary experiences to gamers is what we strive for at PlayStation, and today we are thrilled to start this new chapter in virtual reality gaming with PlayStation VR2," said Jim Ryan, President and CEO, Sony Interactive Entertainment. "PlayStation VR2's innovative technology has helped unlock the creativity of the industry's finest developers, who have designed outstanding games that deliver a greater sense of presence for players. I can't wait for fans around the world to experience PlayStation VR2 for themselves."

At CES 2022, one of the biggest breakthroughs in consumer technology this decade will be unveiled to the public by nanotechnology innovator Somalytics Inc. The company will introduce two remarkable products that "feel" human presence through Somalytics' unique, miniature carbon-nanotube paper composite (CPC ) capacitive sensors: the SomaControl gesture monitor and the SomaSense 3D floor mat.

"These new products are a great example of the kind of innovation that is possible with our new kind of capacitive sensors," said Barbara Barclay, CEO of Somalytics. "We look forward to igniting discovery across many industries to pioneer better, faster and less-expensive applications for human computer interaction. Our devices will enable life-changing applications in assistive technology, health and wellness, industrial safety, and transportation in addition to better experiences in consumer electronics, gaming and wearables as well as many other areas."

HP has today announced the Reverb G2 Omnicept Edition VR headset with advanced tracking technology to create "human centric" experiences. The HP Reverb G2 Omnicept Edition VR headset is an upgraded version of the recently released HP Reverb G2 headset with added cameras and sensors to track eye movement, pupillometry, heart rate, and facial expressions. This data can be used with the advanced machine learning algorithms of the Omnicept SDK to capture physiological responses. The headset's firmware safeguards the sensor data at every moment of capture and no data is stored in the headset.

The HP Reverb G2 Omnicept Edition VR headset maintains the impressive resolution, inside-out tracking, and 3D audio of the HP Reverb G2 while adding a suite of new sensors and cameras to deliver enhanced monitoring. These new sensors enable eye tracking and gaze to determine focus and engagement levels while also enabling foveated rendering for reduced GPU and higher image quality. They also allow for heart rate monitoring which can be used in wellness treatments along with facial expression monitoring capabilities for more natural and engaging conversations. The HP Reverb G2 Omnicept Edition is expected to be available in Spring 2021. Pricing will be shared closer to product availability. HP Omnicept SDK is expected to be available in Spring 2021 and will include a flexible business model.

Pico Interactive, a global tech company that develops innovative virtual reality (VR) and enterprise solutions, today announces the availability of its highly anticipated headsets from the Pico Neo line - the Neo 2 and Neo 2 Eye, both of which deliver key VR solutions to the enterprise.

Both models were built with business in mind, featuring best-in-class 4K resolution, enterprise functionality, six degrees of freedom (6DoF) and spatial stereo speakers. The headsets feature the comfort and hygienic design of an all-PU facial interface, unique counterbalanced design for easy and extended wear, and have plenty of room for prescription glasses. Using the Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 Mobile Platform with Boundless XR, the Neo 2 allows content streaming from a VR Ready PC and select existing PC VR platforms.

The Vive Cosmos was not the only major announcement coming out of HTC's Vive business unit at CES this year. While that has massive mainstream appeal, the company was quick to let us know that it was still to early to comment further than what has already been covered in the aforelinked news post. Instead, they invited us to their suite to take a closer look at the Vive Pro Eye- one of the few things that really stood out for us at the trade show.

The Vive Pro Eye is, as the name would suggest, a new SKU with integrated eye tracking in the Vive Pro HMD. Working together with Tobii, the Vive Pro Eye allows for a more natural control mechanism within VR via eye controls, which in turn means a revamped menu navigation system is possible. This allows for increased accessibility to end users with disability, more optimization on VR performance, and detailed analysis of VR experiences for both the client and the businesses alike. Read past the break for a breakdown of our experience with the Vive Pro Eye, and the various demos on hand to showcase the feature.

Alienware, a leading pioneer in specialty high-performance PC gaming systems, today unveiled the Alienware 17 gaming notebook with integrated eye tracking hardware and software from Tobii. The device is the world's first notebook to capitalize on eye tracking's unique ability to identify and anticipate a user's actions based on their presence and attention. Armed with this new intelligence, the Alienware 17 provides greater convenience, enhanced security, optimized power management and even insight into a gamer's style and technique.

"Alienware, never shy to innovation or groundbreaking design, understands the value of eye tracking as it relates to the interaction between gamer and machine," said Oscar Werner, president of Tobii Tech. "With a greater understanding of its user and a better idea of their intentions, the Tobii solution in the Alienware 17 can bring gamers new experiences and insights unlike any other seen in gaming PC."

Tobii Technology, the global leader in eye tracking and gaze interaction, announced today that it has closed a USD $21M funding round. New investor Intel Capital joins existing investors Amadeus Capital, Investor Growth Capital and Northzone Ventures. The funding will be used to continue R&D investments in core technology and to take eye tracking and gaze interaction to mainstream computers and other mass-market applications.

The new funding from Intel Capital will help Tobii to further accelerate the technological evolution and to take the leap into mass-market applications, such as mainstream computers, cars, games and other consumer and professional products. More specifically it will help Tobii to do necessary R&D investments, grow their R&D organization and build new strategic competences.