CESpotlight 2016: HTC’s VR hopes

The first day of CES 2016 has just concluded and many technology companies have shown off many of the products that we can look forward to getting our hands on this year. One of those companies is HTC. They showed off a new developer version of its Vive virtual reality headset, which is scheduled to finally release to consumers in April, the Vive Pre.

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The Vive was originally supposed to be released to consumers before the end of 2015 but the company announced late in the year that due to a “very big technological breakthrough” the company had decided to delay the release of the Vive to April of this year instead. And at CES, that “technological breakthrough” is featured front and center on the new Vive Pre: a front-facing camera.

According to HTC, the front-facing camera on the Vive Pre will provide users a window back into the real world and deals with one of the long-standing problems of current VR technology. It’s a simple but innovative solution and an undeniably big change in the right direction. In concept, it’s very similar to the pass-through camera mode that devices like the Gear VR and Google Cardboard have but instead of a grainy image of the real world, the Vive Pre’s front-facing camera and software gives users a virtual rendering of the space and objects around them. There’s also a “chaperone” mode for those who prefer a full pass-through camera view.

Other than being able to see around you, the front-facing camera on the Vive Pre also opens up a broader range of applications. One example works in conjunction with the HTC’s software that’s capable of mapping 3D space allowing virtual objects to react and respond to real-world ones making it possible for both types of objects to interact with each other, much like how Microsoft’s HoloLens technology works. Sadly, HTC didn’t showcase any of the other possible applications of the Vive Pre’s front-facing camera but we should expect that third-party developers will definitely use it for their applications.

The Vive Pre’s front-facing camera supports HTC’s attempt at setting itself apart from its competitors like the Oculus Rift and Playstation VR by trying to create a different VR experience by creating room-scale VR instead of the rotational or seated VR experience offered by its peers. The experience works through two spatial sensors that are placed on opposite ends of a room to create virtual space where users can move in. According to HTC, users will be able to set virtual boundaries or play spaces for themselves which, when crossed, will activate the front-facing camera’s functions to prevent users from hitting walls or objects.

HTC has also made other design adjustments to the Vive Pre with HTC saying that they’ve designed every piece of the Vive Pre from the ground up. These changes include new high-resolution displays, a smaller and lighter design, and interchangeable foam inserts and nose gaskets which make the Vive Pre easier to adjust to fit faces of any size or shape including users who wear eyeglasses.

The company also redesigned the two wireless controllers that ship with the Vive Pre. The new controllers are now more ergonomic with textured buttons and side grip pads. They also feature dual-stage triggers with haptic feedback for a smoother and more immersive interactive experience with virtual objects.

With all the stuff you would get with the consumer version of the Vive—the headset, controllers, and spatial sensors—it’s looking like the Vive is setting itself up to be the most expensive VR headset experience in the market. In spite of that, HTC still believe that people who want to get the best VR experience possible will still go for the Vive. Whether HTC plans to still tweak the design of the Vive Pre before it moves on to becoming the Vive consumer edition is unknown but it should be safe to assume that what will be available to us in April won’t exactly be the same as what’s at CES right now. We’ll just have to wait and see.