CES 2022: Featherweight VR headset unveiled

This year’s CES is once again full of surprises. We have already seen a lot in the virtual reality sector with the PlayStation VR2. Besides Sony’s VR experience, another headset is causing a stir. MeganeX is a VR goggle that weighs just 250 grams. Thanks to OLED technology, the SteamVR headset is supposed to offer brilliant picture quality, among other things. We take a closer look at the whole thing.

Panasonic’s prototype is ready for series production

Panasonic’s appearance wasn’t quite that surprising, though. After all, the company has already shown exciting things with prototypes of VR glasses at the last two CES in Las Vegas. The Japanese company for entertainment electronics stands out from the crowd with its somewhat different look. After all, the MeganeX is more reminiscent of welding goggles than a VR headset. While Panasonic already presented its high-quality OLEDs in the past few years, the rest of the tech framework was still missing.

This has obviously changed now. The Japanese have now equipped their VR solution with the appropriate chipset and a number of important sensors. As a result, Panasonic can finally present a product that is ready for mass production at this year’s CES. Apparently, production also seems to be in full swing already. After all, the MeganeX is supposed to go on sale as early as this spring. Panasonic is talking about an introductory price of under $900.

OLED screens in mini format

As is usual with a VR headset, the MeganeX also has a small display in front of each of the wearer’s eyes. Panasonic’s glasses’ 1.3-inch screens have a resolution of 2,560 x 2,560 pixels, which speaks for sharp pictures. The other technical details also read excellent. Besides a refresh rate of 120 Hz, HDR is also on board. Head movements are registered via the so-called “6DoF head tracking” and transmitted to the game. This is supplemented by cameras on the outside. These are supposed to provide the necessary inside-out tracking. In addition to the control via head movement, a controller will of course also be used. Panasonic still wants to provide information on this.

VR glasses with PC constraint

We don’t yet know whether the MeganeX will work wirelessly or not. However, since Panasonic has not made any statements on this topic, we assume that the VR headset can only be used with a wired connection. This is at least surprising when you take a look at the computing power. Panasonic uses the powerful Snapdragon XR1 from Qualcomm. The connection to the PC is established via USB-C port. The most exciting feature of the MeganeX is undoubtedly its comparatively low weight of just 250 grams. Panasonic leaves the competition miles behind with that.

The idea of being able to enjoy VR without having to put on a helmet, so to speak, definitely makes you want more. And that seems to be exactly what Panasonic is pursuing here. You simply wear the MeganeX like a classic pair of glasses. Only a practical test will show whether this minimalistic design also has its pitfalls. A tight fit in particular plays an important role in the field of VR headsets. Especially in fast games that require jerky head movements, a wobbly frame is poison for the gaming experience. The only element that is apparently supposed to provide stability is the rear-mounted mounting bracket. Incidentally, this is also where the VR goggles’ speakers are located.

An idea becomes a marketable product

The example of the MeganeX makes it clear what advantages subsidiaries bring to such large tech corporations as Panasonic. Here, parent companies can let off steam and develop new ideas without dangerous pitfalls. The Japanese company relied completely on its subsidiary Shiftall for the development of the MeganeX. A correspondingly small company is not expected to produce too many units when a new product is launched. This will certainly also be the case with the MeganeX. Thus, Philips can calmly conduct market research on the living object. However, if the slim VR headset is successful, exciting further developments could be in store. It would be particularly cool, for example, if VR glasses as compact as the MeganeX could be used as a standalone device without PC constraints.

VR is getting lighter

Panasonic’s subsidiary is definitely in line with the zeitgeist of current VR technology. After all, solutions that aim to be as compact as possible are becoming increasingly popular. One example of this is HTC’s Vive Flow. While it can keep up with the MeganeX in terms of form factor, it lags behind in technical terms. This is especially true for the display, which does not use OLED, but classic LCD technology. On the other hand, HTC’s VR solution uses the same processor, the Qualcomm Snapdragon XR1. However, the Vive Flow also has other purposes. It is rather designed for the spatial enjoyment of movies and series than for gaming.

MeganeX is just the beginning

At least as surprising as MeganeX’s readiness for series production are the plans Panasonic’s subsidiary has for the future. In addition to the small VR glasses, other devices for virtual reality are to be launched. These should primarily serve the immersion of the player. An exciting example is a gadget called “Pebble Feel”. This is a special belt that can transmit vibrations and temperatures to the player. On top of that, “HoritoraX” is a set that is supposed to track your body movements.

Release is still unknown

But the same is true for the gadgets as for the VR glasses themselves. So neither Shiftall, nor Panasonic have given exact details about a release. However, we know an approximate time frame at least for the MeganeX. The featherweight VR glasses are supposed to be launched in spring 2022. We are curious whether Panasonic can keep this ambitious goal.