Google’s new VR headset rumoured to use Movidius’ motion tracking chip

Rumours Google is working on a new Nexus-like virtual reality headset, possibly called Google Cardboard++, continue to swirl.

Alphabet, Google’s parent company, is reportedly developing a standalone high-end virtual reality headset that doesn’t rely on a smartphone, gaming PC or video game console, according to The Wall Street Journal.

The publication reports that Google is poised to utilize Movidius’ motion sensing technology to track the direction of the wearer’s head. Movidius has denied these rumours, but mentioned that it does work with various companies on virtual reality and augmented reality related projects.

Roughly two years ago, Google released Cardboard, a low-cost virtual reality device designed to introduce users to the burgeoning technology. More recently, Google named Clay Bavor as the head of the company’s new virtual reality division. “Since the beginning we’ve been about making VR available for everyone. We’ll have some more to share later in the year,” Bavor said during a recent Alphabet earnings call.

Since its release in 2014, Google has shipped 14 million cardboard units, likely spurring the company’s interest in developing a high-end virtual reality device that rivals Facebook’s Oculus Rift and HTC’s Vive.

While it’s still unclear, Google’s in-development VR offering seems to be designed to fill a middle ground. The device reportedly won’t be tethered to a PC or smartphone, and will cost less than the competition.

[source]Wall Street Journal[/source]