The Japanese tech company has developed a new headset for both VR and AR applications. The mixed reality device will bring virtual elements of the VR world to your surroundings. Canon calls this device MREAL S1. They have made this device strictly for professionals as well as automotive designers in mind.
VR is one of the fastest-growing industries right now. It is one of the hottest tech field witj=h countless new applications under development. With this device, it looks like Canon is trying to play its role in changing the industry. Unveiled yesterday MREAL S1 is a VR headset also equipped with cameras that allow it to perform AR functions using ‘Video Passthrough”. There are only a few technical details about the device right now. However, we do know that it is a big improvement from canon’s previous models, MD-10 and MD-20.
We can see from the specifications that the new model has a better display and better motion tracking features. Canon is one of the leading companies in optical gear like cameras and binoculars and that level of expertise reflects from this device. Canon also said that their device is better optimized than the competitors and requires lesser computing power to run making it much more portable. The Headset works with a simple “compute pack” which can be worn on the belt rather than with a workstation.
What’s interesting however is the size of this device. VR headsets are notoriously big and heavy. Not only does that affect the continuous usage fatigue of users, but It is also a comfort problem. To deal with that headset manufacturers for a long time are trying to cut off on size and weight. While companies like Oculus and HTC have achieved pretty sleek and comfortable designs over the years. They still look monstrous in front of how small this headset is.
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Modular Design:
the new headset from Canon uses a modular design, something that is the building block of modern tech. It can be attached to the head with a fairly standard strap system that covers the eyes. However, you can also use it without a cover to immerse yourself in the content or on the contrary keep your peripheral vision. It is small enough to be handheld for small glances or demonstrations at trade shows. If the world is to remain in isolation and quarantine regulations, VR demonstrations have the potential to become famous.
Canon said that most of their design choices in this device are based on what they got as feedback from previous devices. However, they will most likely limit it for professional use only as it is not developed for consumers in mind. Some of the major applications will include industrial design uses (virtual prototyping, design review, etc.), particularly in the automotive industry. Another important application for this product near cannon is virtual tours. As explained earlier VR tours are an effective way to hold summits and exhibitions while maintaining social distancing.
The MREAL headsets are a new range of devices from Canon. These devices are the result of years of research that Canon has in the optics field. The early prototyping of these devices started back in 2007. The latest, the MD-10, was sold for 9 million yen when it was released, or around 72,000 euros. It had a resolution of 1920 x 1200 pixels and a field of view of 60 ° x 40 °.
Canon has not yet communicated the price of the MREAL S1we can however expect it to have even higher pricing thanks to better design and newer features.
