Sony and Siemens Unveil Mixed Reality Headset

Sony’s Leap into Immersive Engineering

At CES 2024, Sony revealed a groundbreaking mixed reality headset, designed in partnership with Siemens, aimed at transforming the world of Computer-Aided Design (CAD). This collaboration marks Sony’s ambitious entry into immersive engineering, offering a state-of-the-art solution for industrial designers and CAD professionals.

Innovative Features of Sony’s Mixed Reality Headset

The headset, not yet named, is a marvel in mixed reality technology. It features dual 4K micro-OLED screens, covering 96% of the DCI-P3 color gamut. Designed for ease of use, it has open sides and a hinge mechanism, allowing quick transition from monitor to immersive viewing. It’s equipped with four front-facing cameras for tracking and two color cameras for augmented reality functionality through video passthrough.

Unique Controllers for Precise 3D Manipulation

Setting it apart from the PlayStation VR2, Sony’s mixed reality headset is crafted exclusively for enterprise use. It’s the first all-in-one headset by Sony, powered by Qualcomm’s newly announced Snapdragon XR2+ Gen 2 chip. The headset supports ‘split rendering’, efficiently handling large 3D models by dividing rendering tasks between the headset and a workstation. The control system is equally innovative, featuring a mouse-like controller and a flexible ring for the finger, enabling precision akin to use a stylus on a graphic tablet.

Sony and Siemens: Pioneering Partners

As the exclusive launch partner, Siemens provides NX Immersive Designer software based on its Xcelerator platform. Sony plans to expand partnerships to include various 3D design solution providers, venturing beyond CAD review into creation and editing of complex 3D models.

This headset opens up new possibilities for industries relying on immersive visualization, like automotive and aerospace manufacturers, architects, and real estate developers. As Cedrik Neike, CEO of Siemens Digital Industries, describes, this partnership is a vital step towards an “industrial metaverse”.