VR Headset From Russia Boasts Impressive Specs

Russian state corporation Roscosmos reveals a prototype of its new VR headset, announces additional hardware for 2021.

This past February, Roscosmos, a state corporation of the Russian Federation specializing in space flight, announced that it was in production of consumer-focused VR hardware. In May we received our first official look at the companies prototype device, the Roscosmos XR-1, and boy are those some impressive specs.

According to a report by Russian tech news publication Holographica.space, Roscosmos—a strategic partner of the Russia-based conference The Startup Village—used the event to showcase its first VR headset, the Roscosmos XR-1. The report states that the headset is designed to test various Roscosmosis technology. As a result, it’s unlikely consumers will ever get their hands on this prototype device, which is a shame when you take a look at the supposed specs.

Image Credit: Roscosmos

Roscosmos XR-1 specifications (as provided by Holographica.space):

Displays – two diagonal of 2.89 inches each
Resolution – 2880 × 1440 (1440 × 1440 per eye)
Display refresh rate – 90/120 Hz (selectable)
Display type – liquid crystal
Viewing angle – 105-degrees diagonal
Optics – hybrid Fresnel lenses
Computer connection – wired
Sensors – gyroscope, accelerometer, magnetometer
Connectors – miniDP, miniUSB
Power supply – 5 volts
Weight – less than 500 grams
OS Support – Windows 10 & SteamVR
Positional tracking – laser based on external beacons

Image Credit: Roscosmos

In addition to showcasing the XR-1 prototype device, Roscosmos revealed the next generation of its VR hardware coming later this year, the Roscosmos XR-2, otherwise referred to as “Sokol-1.” Building off the technology featured in the XR-1, the XR-2 features an improved resolution (5760 × 2880) and FOV (157-degrees diagonally) as well as additional upgrades such as eye-tracking. Like the XR-2, the headset is controlled using a pair of motion controllers similar in size and shape to the Oculus Touch controllers. According to the report, this headset will compete directly with international headsets, both corporate and consumer-focused.

Roscosmos XR-2 specifications (as provided by Holographica.space):

Viewing angle – 157 degrees diagonal
Resolution – 5760 × 2880
Frequency – 90/120 hertz
Eye-tracking – yes
Positional tracking – laser with unlimited object tracking area and the ability to track up to 256 objects, motion tracking error is no more than 5 millimeters, two base stations cover an area of 200 square meters.
Support for operating systems and environments – the project’s SDK and API will work with Astra Linux (SE), Windows 10 with or without SteamVR, on its own platform.
Origin – the entire hardware and software complex will be developed in Russia.

Image Credit: Roscosmos

According to the report, Roscosmos VR hardware is being used as part of a spacecraft simulator designed specifically for the Cosmonaut Training Center, allowing trainees the chance to go hands-on with the current Soyuz spacecraft as well as the Orel, a next-generation, partially reusable crewed spacecraft currently in development. This VR hardware will be used in conjunction with other haptic technology designed to enhance immersion, including a zero-gravity simualtor.

For more information, check out the full report here.

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