Previously, we reported that Diver-X, a famous Japanese technology company, officially announced the world's first VR headset that can be used when lying flat or even sleeping - HalfDive. Last year, Diver-X crowdfunded and volunteered for the product through Kickstarter, aiming to scale up the scale and efficiency of its internal research.
Although the lying flat VR device once caused a topic in the industry, Diver-X recently canceled the crowdfunding and detailed three reasons for the cancellation through the official website:
1, the product can not reach the expected height;
2. The product cost is higher than estimated;
3. Insufficient cash flow.
Official statement
Originally conceived, the HalfDive was a fully fixed device optimized for lying positioning. According to the official, it completely overcomes the trade-off between weight/size and function/comfort and achieves a combination of performance/functionality and comfort, which is difficult to achieve with smaller, lighter devices. Price: From 80,000 yen
There has always been a challenge in the XR design world: the number of optics implemented in the limited space and weight is limited. However, HalfDive from the Future overcomes these limitations by employing a total of 10 aspheric lens elements to eliminate distortion, flares and image degradation associated with existing Fresnel-based optical systems, while providing ultra-high viewing angles of up to 134 degrees and crisp images. In addition, to take advantage of the limited space, HalfDive also offers a variable focus function. (The variable focal length feature is only available for top-level models.) ）
In terms of display, The HalfDive's screen resolution is 1600x1440px for monocular, 3200x1440px for both eyes, a refresh rate of 90Hz, a field of view of 134 degrees, and a 58-82mm interpupillary distance adjustment range.
On the sound side, HalfDive uses a total of four speakers located in a spherical shell that can cover the entire head and provide a good and comfortable immersive sound experience. In addition, the two fans mounted on the head provide feedback on the wind speed, making for a more immersive VR experience. The fan can also be used in silent mode to simply maintain the wearer's comfortable airflow.
In terms of haptics, the wire-based force feedback module provides a higher level of immersive experience by expressing the feeling of touching objects, cutting with a sword, and rubbing in VR space.
Actuator-based vibration feedback makes the sound of monsters' footsteps, gunshots, and ambient sounds more realistic and immersive for the wearer. The tilt of the left and right ankles simulates the body movement of the avatar, so that even if the avatar is lying down, the body movement can be expressed as if the avatar is standing. (Example: squat according to the inclination of the ankle)
Thanks to its own drivers and emulation, HalfDive is compatible with all known SteamVR content.