Dubai: Virtual reality (VR) headsets are set to become the biggest trend in wearables this year, with everyone from Facebook, Sony, Samsung, HTC, Microsoft and Google jumping on the bandwagon.
To take advantage of this trend, Dubai-based Merlin Digital is showcasing the world’s first virtual reality cordless headset that does not need a computer or a smartphone to power the device.
Sharad Bachani, co-founder of Merlin Digital, said that the Ridge VR is powered by an octa-core CPU and high-end graphics processor. It has a 16GB built-in memory and microSD card support, and runs on Android OS.
Most of the VR headsets have to be either tethered to a PC like Oculus Rift and HTC Vive or to a smartphone like Samsung’s Gear VR.
Bachani said that Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Facebook, which bought Oculus in 2014, is also moving to a cordless headset with Santa Cruz.
The Ridge VR comes with a Bluetooth joystick for personal control, head-tracking GPS, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, and is priced at $250 (Dh918).
He said there are no boundaries for VR and Merlin is still exploring the possibilities.
“We have improved the game engine we created for our first VR-based Heart Rate Variability (HRV) trainer last year and is launching for commercial use at Gitex. We have created an immersive 3D virtual walk-through, whereby we can plot any real estate layout and turn it into a 3D visual representation, so a viewer can get a 360-degree video feed of a house and walk around the plot,” he said.
HRV refers to the beat-to-beat alterations in heart rate or pulse.
Merlin is looking at real estate, tourism, automotive, education, hotels and events sectors with the virtual-walk-through platform.
“We have the platform ready and all we need to do is take the layout and incorporate into the engine. Every developer has its own furniture package and it is a few days programme. Anybody can download our app from the app stores and [it] can be used for any VR headsets,” he said.
He said that there are a lot of real estate companies that have off-plan projects in the UAE and hopes it to be an idle and simple platform.
Bachani said that the VR hardware is ready for consumers only this quarter and the new hand controllers make virtual reality much more compelling these days.
Robert Scoble, a Silicon Valley insider who currently serves as Entrepreneur in Residence at augmented reality and virtual reality start-up Upload VR, said that the GCC, with its advancing Smart Cities, is well-positioned to be among global leaders in demonstrating how wearables can be optimised for hyperconnectivity.
“Smart wearables can deliver an enhanced experience that was only in the realm of sci-fi films, especially in verticals such as health care, transportation, marketing, and retail,” he said.
