Sulon and AMD partner for new Sulon Q mixed reality headset

At GDC 2016, Sulon and AMD revealed the two companies have forged a partnership to release a new augmented reality headset called the Sulon Q, set for a late spring 2016 launch.

The mixed reality device – it utilizes both virtual reality and augmented reality – doesn’t need to be connected to a PC to work like the HTC Vive or Oculus Rift, instead opting to utilize its own internal hardware.

Find the Sulon Q’s hardware specifications below:

• A “spatial processing unite” that uses real-time computer vision to map the environment and track gestures.
• AR applications that can transition to VR with a 110-degree field-of-view.
• Wireless keyboard and mouse provided in the box.
• Redirected walking with some “perceptual tricks.”
• The AMD FX-8800P processor with 4 compute cores and 8 GPU cores to drive DirectX 12 and Vulkan graphics technologies on a 2560×1440 OLED display. It is also said to work with AMD’s LiquidVR.
• Spatial audio and dual noise-canceling microphones.

While the Sulon Q’s internal specs only feature a fraction of the power a high-end PC typically offers, it seems the device is taking an untethered approach to the concept of virtual reality. This means that Sulon and AMD’s upcoming VR headset falls in the middle ground between entry level headsets like Google Cardboard and high-end devices like the HTC Vive.

“As a powerful and lightweight all-in-one solution that combines VR and AR capabilities with real-time spatial mapping, the Sulon Q headset offers an experience that’s unlike anything else. As we put the finishing touches on it and ready for launch in late spring, we hope everyone enjoys this sneak peek and is equally excited about the forthcoming headset as we are,” said Sulon CEO Dhanushan Balachandreswaran, in a statement sent to MobileSyrup.

Sulon’s last VR headset, which was shown off at E3 2015, was the company’s “Cortex” project, which received less than stellar early impressions from most that tested out the device. Cortex reportedly suffered from screen resolution, finger tracking and ergonomics related issues.

However, a number of questions about the Sulon Q still remain. A price for the headset still hasn’t revealed, and similar to 3Glasses low-cost, mid-range VR headset, it’s unclear what software is set to be released for the device.

[source]Sulon[/source][via]UploadVR[/via]