This Monday, leaks in a Twitter post by IT Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo revealed a potential 2023 release window for the upcoming PlayStation virtual reality (PSVR) 2 headset. The analyst said the headsets would enter mass production later this year.
Supply chain checks from the PSVR 2 component manufacturer, Genius, reveal that PlayStation is ordering 1.5 million units for the second half of 2022.
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My latest supply chain check suggests that the assembler and several component providers of PS VR2 will start mass production with about 1.5M units shipments in 2H22. Sony may launch it in 1Q23, depending on the development schedule of PS VR2 game titles. pic.twitter.com/NIqFgg4Kjl— 郭明錤 (Ming-Chi Kuo) (@mingchikuo) May 30, 2022
Ming-Chi Kuo also notes that lens manufacturer Genius is supplying the sophomore device with six optical modules not found on the original headset, including eye-tracking functions.
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The most notable hardware upgrade for PS VR2 is to start using optical modules. PS VR1 doesn’t equip with optical modules. PS VR2 adopts six optical modules (four 720P IR cameras and two eye-tracking cameras). Genius is the leading lens supplier.— 郭明錤 (Ming-Chi Kuo) (@mingchikuo) May 30, 2022
Genius also provides aspherical lenses for the PSVR 2 device, and Ming-Chi Kuo states that Genius is working with other extended reality (XR) clients, including Apple. Additionally, Goertek, SDC, and MediaTalk supply XR components for the PSVR 2 headset.
In January, Goertek reportedly started mass production of the PSVR 2 device. A tweet by XR analyst Brad Lynch revealed Sony’s manufacturing partnership, also reporting that the Goertek is producing parts for Meta’s Project Cambria, Apple’s upcoming XR headset, and Pico devices.
More on PlayStation VR 2
In February, Sony unveiled the core details of its PSVR 2 headset in a blog post. The Senior Vice President of Platform Experience for Sony, Hideaki Nishino, showcased the headset and controllers. Features include:
- New orb-shaped controllers
- Rebalanced weight distribution
- Haptic motors
- Ventilation systems
- 4K high-dynamic-range
- Inside-out positional camera tracking
- New software development kits
- 110-degree field of view
- Built-in microphone
- 90-120Hz refresh rate
- Tempest 3D AudioTech spatial sound system
In May, Sony announced new plans to boost its Metaverse and spatial computing presence. The firm plans to create a virtual space allowing groups to socialise, game, and collaborate in an immersive environment.
Sony also invested roughly $1 billion into Epic Games, owners of the real-time 3D (RT3D) engine Unreal, to develop Metaverse projects and experiences.
The news comes after Sony supplied Skyfish with Alpha Cameras for industrial drones to enhance photogrammetry and digital twins. The partnership allows workforces to conduct high-quality data surveys or digitise real-world objects and structures.
