Facebook, now known as Meta, is one of the leading companies developing virtual reality (VR) technology and headsets. Their popular Oculus Quest line of stand-alone VR headsets have helped bring VR into the mainstream. With the Oculus Quest 2 released in 2020, many are wondering what Meta has planned next for their VR hardware.
The Evolution of Oculus VR Headsets
Meta’s Oculus VR headsets have gone through several iterations since the original Oculus Rift CV1 was released in 2016. Here is a brief overview of Meta’s main consumer VR headsets over the years:
| Headset | Release Year | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| Oculus Rift CV1 | 2016 | First consumer version of Oculus Rift, required a connected gaming PC, used external sensors for tracking. |
| Oculus Quest 1 | 2019 | First stand-alone Oculus headset with 6DOF tracking, no PC/wires needed. |
| Oculus Rift S | 2019 | Incremental update to the Rift, used inside-out tracking instead of external sensors. |
| Oculus Quest 2 | 2020 | Higher resolution and refresh rate than Quest 1, lighter weight, faster loading. |
As we can see, Meta has focused on stand-alone, self-contained VR headsets since the Quest 1 in 2019 rather than headsets that need an expensive gaming PC. The Quest 2 improved on the first model in several ways while keeping the overall stand-alone concept.
Meta’s Vision for the Future of VR
At Meta’s Connect 2021 conference, Mark Zuckerberg outlined his vision for the metaverse and the future of VR technology. He sees VR and AR headsets eventually replacing smartphones and becoming the main computing platform. To work towards this goal, Meta’s roadmap includes building better VR hardware, software, and virtual worlds.
Some of the key areas Meta is working on for future VR headsets include:
– Lighter and more comfortable form factors
– Reduced size and weight
– Higher resolution displays for crisper visuals
– Wider field of view for more immersion
– Eye tracking and face tracking capabilities
– More naturalistic avatars and environments
– Seamless AR/VR convergence
What We Know About Project Cambria
Meta’s next major VR headset release is known internally as Project Cambria. Meta has officially confirmed that Cambria represents a “completely new product segment” and is set for a 2023 consumer launch.
High-End Specifications
Based on Meta’s comments about Cambria, this headset will likely be a high-end model focused on work use cases rather than gaming. Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg has said it will have capabilities that “unlock the potential of the metaverse.”
Some key things we expect from Project Cambria’s specifications:
– Higher resolution color displays than Quest 2
– Pancake optics for thinner, lighter design
– Eye tracking and face tracking cameras
– Advanced avatar rendering and presence indicators
– More processing power than Quest 2
– Higher price point, likely $500-1000
Focus on Mixed Reality
Meta is increasingly using the term “mixed reality” rather than VR to describe Cambria. This reflects the headset’s focus on blending virtual elements into the real physical environment.
Cambria will incorporate high-resolution outward-facing cameras that capture a video feed of the user’s surroundings. This allows for mixed reality applications such as:
– Passthrough AR overlaying digital objects on real world
– Avatar representation of user’s body in physical space
– Hand tracking and body tracking without wearable sensors
– Spatial anchoring of virtual objects in real room
This focus on mixed reality sets Cambria apart from the more immersive, isolated VR experience of the Quest headsets.
Potential Features and Specifications
While Meta has not revealed full details yet, we can make educated guesses about Cambria’s potential features and specs based on existing VR technology and Meta’s research directions.
Cameras and Sensors
– High-res color cameras for passthrough mixed reality
– Eye tracking cameras for foveated rendering
– Face tracking cameras for avatar facial expressions
– Depth sensor for 3D spatial mapping
– Inertial measurement unit for inside-out tracking
Displays
– ~2000 x 2000 pixels per eye resolution
– Mini LED backlights for better contrast
– 90+ Hz refresh rate
– ~110° field of view
Design and Ergonomics
– Pancake optics for slimmer profile
– Redesigned strap for better weight distribution
– Lighter overall weight compared to Quest 2
– Smaller and sleeker industrial design
Performance and Battery Life
– Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2 or XR3 chipset
– 6+ GB RAM
– 128+ GB storage
– 2-3 hour battery life
– Fast charging and wireless charging
Input and Output
– Rechargeable controllers with haptic feedback
– Hand tracking with wrist detection
– High-fidelity spatial audio speakers
– Eye and face tracking cameras
Connectivity
– USB-C wired connection
– WiFi 6E wireless
Software Features
– Passthrough mixed reality
– Advanced avatars with face/eye tracking
– Spatial plane detection
– Augmented virtual monitors
– Third-party app integration
Expected Applications
Based on the expected capabilities of Project Cambria, here are some of the use cases Meta is likely targeting with the headset:
Work Collaboration
Cambria will enable more immersive forms of remote work. Virtual monitors and keyboards will allow using traditional desktop apps in VR. Life-like avatars with face tracking will improve social connection and collaboration. AR features will blend physical workspaces with virtual tools.
Creative Tools
The improved specs will enable new forms of VR content creation. The facial tracking cameras could capture expressions for animating digital avatars. Hand tracking allows direct spatial interaction with 3D models. Passthrough allows overlaying virtual objects onto real environments.
Entertainment
While less gaming-focused than Quest, Cambria will still support next-generation VR games, movies, and experiences. Its high resolution, wide field of view, and expressive avatars provide more immersive entertainment.
Training Simulations
The mixed reality capabilities can overlay digital content onto real-world training environments. High visual fidelity allows creating detailed simulations for practicing skills. Avatar representations improve social training and collaboration.
Telepresence
Cambria will enable life-like social connection remotely through avatar technology. Realistic digital doubles of users will allow hanging out together in virtual spaces as if you’re there in person.
Developer Tools and Platform
For Cambria to succeed, Meta needs developers to build compelling apps and experiences for the headset. Meta will likely provide new developer tools tailored for Cambria’s capabilities.
Unity and Unreal Integration
Meta’s VR SDKs for Unity and Unreal game engines will add support for Cambria’s features like mixed reality, hand tracking, and facial tracking. This makes building Cambria apps easier for developers familiar with these popular engines.
Web APIs and Frameworks
For web developers, Meta could release new JavaScript APIs and React frameworks optimized for Cambria. These tools may use WebGL for rendering mixed reality overlays in the browser.
3D Content Libraries
Meta is acquiring various 3D content libraries and creators, like Ready Player Me for avatars. Expect Meta to integrate these assets into Cambria developer tools to accelerate development.
Horizon Worlds
Cambria will integrate tightly with Meta’s Horizon social metaverse platform. Features like legible avatars and spatial anchors will bring Horizon’s virtual worlds into real spaces through Cambria.
App Lab and App Referrals
Meta will likely leverage their App Lab and App Referral programs to incentivize developers to build Cambria apps. Perks like free testing hardware and additional funding could be offered.
Price and Release Date Projections
Meta has not shared an exact release date or price for Project Cambria yet, but here are some reasonable predictions based on available information:
Release Date
– Meta still aims to ship Cambria sometime in 2023.
– The Quest 2 shipped about 15 months after its announcement.
– If Cambria was announced soon, that suggests a mid-late 2023 launch.
– Supply chain issues could delay launch closer to late 2023.
Price
– More advanced specs will likely put Cambria above $500.
– The top-end Quest 2 is $399, so Cambria at $599-$799 is reasonable.
– Competitors like HTC’s high-end Vive headsets are up to $799.
– For business use-cases, Meta could price Cambria as high as $999.
Overall, a launch in late 2023 for around $600-800 seems like a realistic prediction for Project Cambria based on the information available today.
Competitive Landscape
While Meta’s VR headsets currently dominate market share, Cambria will face competition from other premium VR/AR headsets releasing around the same timeframe.
HTC Vive Series
HTC produces high-end PC-based VR headsets like the Vive Pro 2 and developing new stand-alone models. Their headsets focus on enterprise use cases. Upcoming models will further improve specs and versatility.
Pico 4 and Pico 4 Pro
These new stand-alone headsets from ByteDance’s Pico brand feature eye and face tracking. The Pico 4 Pro also includes mixed reality capabilities using outward-facing cameras. Both models will directly compete with Cambria.
HTC Vive XR Elite
HTC is developing this new self-contained headset focused on mixed reality with passthrough cameras. It aims for high-end enterprise and consumer markets like Cambria.
Apple Rumored Headset
Apple is rumored to be launching their first VR/AR headset in 2023 as well. Details are scarce but it may compete directly or indirectly with Cambria.
Sony PSVR 2
Sony’s upcoming PSVR 2 headset for PlayStation 5 consoles will target home entertainment rather than enterprise use like Cambria. But it could impact Meta’s share of the overall VR market.
Conclusion
Based on all the currently available information, Project Cambria represents Meta’s next ambitious push into high-end VR focused on mixed reality capabilities for work and social connection.
The Cambria headset will likely have impressive specs like pancake optics, eye tracking, face tracking, and passthrough mixed reality when it launches in 2023. It will enable natural social interactions and immersive work collaboration in AR/VR spaces.
At a price point around $600-$800, Cambria aims to push consumer VR technology forward while competitors like Apple, HTC, and Pico race to release similarly advanced headsets. Meta hopes their early investments in VR give them an edge in both hardware capabilities and platform ecosystem.
The true potential for VR and AR headsets is still developing as the technology improves. But Cambria represents a key milestone on Meta’s proclaimed path to an augmented metaverse future blending virtual and physical worlds.