It looks like Sony’s upcoming next-generation PlayStation 5 console is also getting an updated version of PSVR. A new PlayStation 5 PSVR leak hints at a wireless headset and some other advanced features that will retail for $250.
According to a report by Inverse, a series of patents shows that Sony is working on a next-generation version of PSVR. The patents give out some very specific details about the headset’s features beyond its price and the fact that it will supposedly be wireless.
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For those disappointed with the current PS VR’s 1920 x 1080 resolution, the PS5 version will allegedly render images at 2560 x 1440. It will do so at a 120-hertz refresh rate, while also providing a 220-degree field of view. As the new PSVR will be wireless, it will also require charging. The headset is expected to have a battery life of about five hours.
The $250 headset will reportedly feature both eye tracking and head tracking. In regards to the latter, the patents hints that the headset will use both acceleration and gyro sensors to get a better sense of a user’s head position. This seems like it could help many players, especially those not used to VR, feel less disoriented when using the headset.
Eye tracking can also help users get adjusted to wearing the headset. The headset could use this system to track things such as inter-pupillary distance and the relative position of the eyes compared to the screens. The system can then adjust the image based on factors to help reduce eye strain.
The patents also indicate that Sony is looking to use a technique called foveated rendering with the new PSVR. Using this technique, the console’s GPU will only render the highest quality image where the players is expected to be looking at. This helps cut down on the GPU’s workload, which is a boon since VR requires machines to render two separate images. Additionally, eye tracking might tie into this, rendering at a lower quality in the places where users aren’t looking.
Of course, these are all just patents at this point, and not official confirmation of these features. Sony can simply choose to not implement some of these features in an updated PSVR headset, but we won’t know for sure until the company confirms the new hardware.
