HTC has been on the backburner for many VR enthusiasts these days with the recent launch of the Valve Index and the smash hit of the Oculus Quest. But the company announced new plans to release three new VR headsets: Vive Cosmos Elite, Vive Cosmos XR, and the Vive Cosmos Play.
The Cosmos platform offers interchangeable faceplates where users can get more out of their VR headset over time. Future upgrades in functionality and performance can be upgraded with the change of the faceplate.
VIVE Cosmos Elite
Vive Cosmos Elite pairs the performance of external tracking alongside the flexibility of inside-out technology.
By using Lighthouse base stations, users will be able to play games on SteamVR. Vive Cosmos Elite also supports Vive’s ecosystem of peripherals including the Vive Tracker—delivering input freedom for VR controls—and the Wireless Adapter for an untethered VR experience.
Vive Cosmos Elite includes a pre-installed External Tracking Faceplate, 2 SteamVR base stations, and two Vive controllers. The External Tracking Faceplate can be used with base station versions 1.0 or 2.0 as well as the original Vive or Vive Pro controllers and is easily swapped with the original inside-out tracking faceplate that ships with Vive Cosmos.
The Vive Cosmos Elite bundle will retail for $899 USD and be available later in Q1. The External Tracking Faceplate will also launch globally as a stand-alone accessory in Q2 for $199 as an upgrade for either Vive Cosmos or Vive Cosmos Play.
VIVE Cosmos XR
VIVE Cosmos XR is an upcoming stand-alone edition and faceplate for the modular Vive Cosmos that brings high-quality XR passthrough cameras to Vive Cosmos for the first time. Debuting as a developer kit in Q2, Vive Cosmos XR allows a near-complete passthrough field of view that utilizes the majority of the VR display (up to 100 degrees FOV) to integrate real-world and virtual content.
For example, Vive Sync, the company’s collaboration tool will integrate Vive Cosmos XR functionality so that virtual objects can be brought into real-world environments, bolstering collaboration options for VR-based meetings.
Additional information on Vive Cosmos XR will be unveiled at the upcoming GDC conference.
VIVE Cosmos Play
Vive Cosmos Play opens the door for new-to-VR users, making it easier than ever before to step into premium VR. Vive Cosmos Play uses 4-camera inside-out tracking.
Play owners can easily upgrade their Vive Cosmos with Vive’s host of VR accessories such as Vive Cosmos’ full range of faceplates. Additional details on Vive Cosmos Play will release in the coming months.
Yves Maître, CEO, HTC stated the following, “Our customers want an incredible VR experience and we are proud to announce a new family of products tailor-made for VR use-cases of all types. Vive Cosmos is truly the most versatile headset yet. From consumers just discovering VR for the first time to the demanding business user, Vive Cosmos offers stellar quality, comfort, and the ability to evolve VR and XR journeys over time – from changing faceplates to adding options like wireless.”