​Somnium Space is Planning a Modular Standalone Virtual Reality Headset 2800x2800 with XTAL Maker

Somnium Space company is going to release a new standalone virtual reality headset with XTAL, VRgineers.

A few words about Somnium Space

Somnium Space has been around for several years, working on what she herself says is "the only VR metaversion in the world built on blockchain." She runs a virtual reality social platform of the same name, available on SteamVR, where users can buy virtual land. In 2019, the company raised $1 million to expand its platform.

The headset was presented at the Somnium “Connect” event (no, not the “Connect” one) in Prague earlier this week. The company claims that its device runs on Qualcomm's XR2 platform with 6DOF reclining indoors using four cameras. The device is equipped with a 2 800x 2800 display with a horizontal field of view of more than 115 degrees. VRgineers, known for its professional-grade XTAL headset, whose various models offer high-end performance at a high price, is also working with the company to create custom lenses similar to those used in its own devices.

Other planned features include wired and wireless PC connectivity to access SteamVR, as well as Lighthouse's own tracking and controllers. The device will be modular, with replaceable elements, such as the front panel, as well as built-in buttons. The headset has been in the planning stage since the beginning of 2021.

Of course, these are ambitious plans, but do not forget about the difficulties faced by many small and medium-sized companies when releasing virtual reality equipment to the market. DecaGear recently dramatically revised its plans to release the SteamVR headset from $450 to $700, citing the realities of competition with Meta. In addition, many vital points in Somnium's plans are still in question, for example, the mention of the "study of micro ODED displays", which will undoubtedly radically change the shape and appearance of the product.

Why is Somnium working on such a device? According to the founder and CEO of the company Artur Sychov, this is done in order to release a headset that really "belongs" to customers, with an open ecosystem that allows them to do whatever they want with the device. "We observed a trend when many virtual reality companies, large companies, produced virtual reality headsets, which began to close their ecosystems, creating closed ecosystems, and we, as a metaversive company, cannot afford the risk that we will depend on some other ecosystems," Sychov said on stage during the event.

Somnium plans to release the first headsets in the 4th quarter of 2022, although the company says it will not conduct a pre-order campaign. "We will not take your money until we are ready for delivery," Sychov said. "Maybe a little earlier." Exactly how much the device will cost is not reported at the moment, but this will also be a key factor in order to understand what kind of support Somnium will be able to receive from developers and users. However, if the plans come to fruition, expect the company's own vision for the metaverse to be the focus for the headset.