Intel Presented Project Alloy, An All-In-One Virtual Reality Solution

Intel Presented Project Alloy, An All-In-One Virtual Reality Solution

Intel introduced its next evolution of virtual-reality goggles Project Alloy for so-called mixed reality, which drags real-world objects into the virtual reality using 3D cameras. A clear example of the future of merged reality today, the Alloy platform completely redefines what’s possible in an all-in-one VR platform.

Project Alloy is completely wireless headset, something that distinguishes it significantly from headsets like the Oculus Rift or HTC Vive. The company’s headset is notable in that it’s an all-on-one device with all of the cameras, sensors and input controls built-in.

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Project alloy

This headset uses Intel’s RealSense cameras, which have depth-sensing capabilities, to allow, without the need for additional sensors, objects such as the user hands to be tracked and entered into the virtual world displayed within the goggles. Most of other VR headsets, including Sony’s upcoming PSVR, require a series of cameras, sensors and accessories that to be placed about a room or held in the hand to enable similar functions.

Project Alloy relies entirely on the hand-tracking as input through its integrated sensors. The demo appeared a bit finicky onstage. The headset appears to be relying strongly on the technology from the company’s RealSense technology. RealSense trackers utilize a 1080p camera in addition to the infrared cameras and lasers so in the demo onstage Intel was able to capture when people walked into the frame of the user’s virtual world.

Intel also announced that it is going to open source the Alloy hardware in the second half of the 2017 so that ‘anyone can combine the Project Alloy hardware with Windows Holographic platform’.