Oculus Rift prototype, dubbed 'Crystal Cove,' has bagged the 2014 Best of CES award and it deserves it. Virtual reality has been one of the ultimate goals of the gaming industry and though progress has been slow and difficult due to technological limitations, the Oculus development project seems to be on the verge of finally completing a practical and usable virtual reality headset.
Older VR headset prototypes have been marred by problems such as nausea inducing motion blur as well as tracking problems. With the 'Crystal Cove' however, many of these problems have finally been solved with the addition of sensors to track the position of a user's head and torso. A camera has also been added to reduce the effects of motion blur due to human movement. The result is both stunning and convincing with realistic simulated movement finally within reach.
Hundreds of innovative and cutting-edge products were unveiled at the CES 2014 in Las Vegas, but it seems that the Oculus Rift 'Crystal Cove' represents the current pinnacle of consumer technology. The first version of the Oculus Rift was unveiled back in the year 2012 and the current version is the culmination of around two and a half years of development.
The Crystal Cove currently boasts of a 1080p OLED display that churns out realistic and believable visuals in a relatively small package. While the visuals are impressive, it's the onboard tracking system that sets the current version apart from its predecessors. With the new camera and sensor array, the system can now detect and compensate for the movement of the head, the neck as well as the entire body of a user. Once a user moves, the system responds to deliver a realistic and immersive experience.
However, there are still a number of issues that Oculus will have to solve. For instance, mass producing the new product will inevitably bring about manufacturing and supply chain challenges that an untested company will have to deal with. Another issue is setting a price for the headset that will make it an attractive purchase.
