Wearing a virtual reality headset, whether the Oculus Rift, the PS VR or the HTC Vive, requires a gamer to use a cable that's tethered to a supercomputer. This enables the virtual world to materialize and is by far the only way to go. However, MIT's researchers from the Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory (CSAIL) may have a solution to get rid of the meddling cords, through "MoVr."
The "MoVr," a wireless virtual reality system, uses high-frequency millimeter wave radio to transmit data from a computer to a headset without a cable. Instead of relying on Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, the "MoVr" system has the capability to stream data at faster speeds, compared to the current VR systems we have now.
"MoVr" Is The Solution To Your Cable Woes
"It's very exciting to get a step closer to being able to deliver a high-resolution, wireless-VR experience," said MIT professor Dina Katabi of the "MoVr," via MIT's official website. "The ability to use a cordless headset really deepens the immersive experience of virtual reality and opens up a range of other applications."
The quest for untethered VR is a current trend, given several companies have come up with ways to provide a hassle-free VR experience. One good example is the Zotac VR GO backpack, a wearable computer that promises mobility and convenience. Another one is Samsung's Gear VR and Google's Daydream View, both relying on offloading the computational work directly to a phone inside the headset. These solutions have limitations that "MoVr" has managed to rid off, reports TechCrunch.
"MoVr" To Be Further Developed By MIT
As of late, the "MoVr" system is simply a prototype, but the research team is looking for ways on improving the system further, which will hopefully be released in the market. Regardless, MIT's geniuses have pitched an interesting standpoint in the future of virtual reality.
