Intel Is Reportedly Developing A Wearable Headset

Reports suggest Intel is to become the next computing heavyweight to throw its hat into the virtual reality (VR) headset market.

The Wall Street Journal said that the headset will use Intel’s RealSense 3D camera technology to power VR and Augmented Reality (AR) applications.

However rather than being a commercially available product, the reports claim the device will be a reference design to be licensed to other manufacturers.

TechWeekEurope has contacted Intel for comment but had not received a reply at the time of publication.

Going virtual

Intel’s RealSense technology combines high-resolution image capturing alongside advanced depth-sensing capabilities, and the company has been keen to show off the number of different use cases it can enable.

In January, equipment manufacturer Daqri announced a smart helmet (pictured right) equipped with RealSense that would allow workers in factories and on building sites to view more information on their surroundings without the need to carry around a tablet or folder.

The design and architecture world has also been mooted as a potential market for RealSense, as workers could get a virtual view of how their finished products come together and will look using virtual reality. Shoppers could also use the technology to see how a product will look in their house, or use virtual reality to try out new retail experiences to ‘try before they buy’.

Intel has been investing heavily in the augmented reality space in recent years as it looks to build up a portfolio of companies to be able to create its own complete system. Interest in virtual and augmented reality devices is at an all-time high, as the technology gains support from some of the world’s largest manufacturers.

Earlier this week, Microsoft released pricing information for its HoloLens device, which is now available for developers to purchase for testing and creating their own apps at $3,000.

At last week’s Mobile World Congress (MWC), major firms including LG and Samsung were among those showcasing VR headsets, while the technology has received support from Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg, who wants ‘millions’ of VR devices handed out by the end of the year.

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