Project Cambria is currently in its prototyping phase, but Oculus parent company Facebook has stated that it focuses on face- and eye-tracking. Just like any other popular virtual reality headset on the market, Project Cambria will wrap around its user’s face to provide the virtual experience. Unlike previous Oculus headsets, Project Cambria introduces pancake lenses which will likely improve the design of the headset.
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Other virtual reality headsets that have used pancake lenses include the HTC Vive Flow and Facebook has teased that Project Cambria will offer similar quality to the HTC Vive VR headsets. While other virtual reality companies have experience working with these pancake lenses, Project Cambria is the first Oculus project to offer the improved lenses. These pancake lenses are stacked on top of each other behind the screen of Project Cambria in order to make the next headset more compact than previous ones.
Project Cambria also includes cameras that will capture high-resolution full-color video for users to see through the headset which is how augmented reality is achieved with the device. This video allows VR users to feel as if they’re looking through Project Cambria at the world around them, opening up the potential for various augmented reality experiences. Far more gaming companies are invested in virtual reality than augmented reality, but Facebook may be able to bridge the gap between the two with Project Cambria.
Facebook recently changed its name as a result of moving from a social media platform to a digital metaverse. Because of innovations like Project Cambria, changing the name may be a result of further Oculus integration. Neither Facebook nor Oculus have confirmed an official release date for Project Cambria, but they’re planning for a 2022 release. Oculus and Facebook have yet to confirm pricing for Project Cambria, but the improved technology may result in a higher price than other Oculus headsets.
Because Project Cambria is simply a codename, Oculus may wind up in part of its name just like Oculus Rift and Oculus Quest. Although previous Oculus VR headsets have focused primarily on virtual reality, the inclusion of augmented reality with Project Cambria may result in more sales of the device. Bringing VR and AR together with the new Oculus headset is an important focus with Project Cambria and it could make Facebook’s dream of a metaverse more achievable.
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Source: IGN
