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Pimax announces a 12K QLED Resolution VR headset from their online conference named Pimax Frontier. The powerful headset will be priced at $2,399 and will be released in late 2022. Additionally, Pimax’s headsets will yield industry-leading eye-tracking from a partnership with the Swedish eye tracking and attention computing technology company Tobii.
In an already stacked VR-news October of 2021, the Chinese VR manufacturer Pimax hosted an online conference named “Pimax Frontier 2021”. Announcing the impressive 12K QLED (min-LED technology) VR headset. A further step for Pimax inching closer to realizing an imagined reality resembling that of our normal eyesight.
The online conference revolved around three keywords of “naturalness”, “self-awareness”, and “freedom”, all to upgrade virtual reality to the next level.
Three descriptive words that signify a high-fidelity Metaverse experience with such a natural experience as to perceive oneself. Opening the freedom to roam and experience true (virtual) reality.
The announcements were indeed what was teased in the conference invitation of “a new product that’s several generations ahead of anything currently on the market.”
The specifications for the new headset are nothing short of impressive.
Outside of the impressive resolution achieved, it is worth noting the advanced connectivity possibilities. Here Pimax reflected that it was for smooth and seamless streaming of video games. A growing development within the video games industry of streaming, such as Google Stadia.
The new revolutionary headset will have two different modes. A PC VR mode for high-performance and a stand-alone one for increased freedom.
The difference is that the performance specs above are present for the PC VR mode, whereas the detached stand-alone mode will result in resolutions of up to 8K, with a maximum refresh rate of 120Hz and a 150-degree HFOV. Still impressive as the headset will be untethered.
But as the PC mode requires a nigh quantum-like super-computer to run the new headset, Pimax also announced a portable VR station of sorts that will seamlessly run the headset in this PC mode. Kind of like a gaming console, but for the Pimax headset.
Pimax further announced that the headset would be able to track eye movement, facial expressions, hand movement, and even the movement of the whole body from 11 cameras. An impressive camera-tracking array partially rooted in the new partnership with the Swedish industry-leading eye-tracking company Tobii.
Pimax stated that the partnership would enable their VR products to run foveated rendering. A VR screen technology that utilizes eye-tracking to lessen the resolution at the individual eye’s peripheral vision. A form of dynamic resolution technology which substantially decreases performance requirements and increases optimization.
As Johan Hellqvist, VP of XR at Tobii, says about the new partnership, “We are excited by the opportunity to, together with Pimax, help push the boundaries for state-of-the-art and truly immersive VR experiences.”
Robin Weng, founder and chairman of Pimax, stated in response that “Tobii’s proven track record in deploying eye tracking in the VR head-mounted display (HMDs) market makes it the best partner to work with on our direct-to-consumer products.” While Tobii’s “eye-tracking solution enables Pimax to create more powerful devices and immersive experiences…” as Robin concludes.
The headset will cost $2,399 and will be released late 2022, linked with the profitable holiday season of next year.
We will get to know more details at the CES next year.
