The PlayStation VR2 headset has been officially unveiled and Sony's plans to improve the device across the board are now confirmed. It's not just about the VR headset's screens, improved to 2,000x2,040 resolution per eye from 960x1,080, or an increase in the field of view from 100° to 110°. Sony's also improving the PS VR2's sensory technology, features that work with users' sight, hearing, and touch. That's what makes a newly published Sony patent tied to in-headset haptic sensors particularly interesting.

The "Positional Haptics via Head-Mounted Peripheral" patent was published on Friday, though it was initially filed internationally on April 8, 2021. The patent is based around building a system of haptic sensors into a given headset. The PS VR2 headset is not specifically mentioned, though the original PS VR headset is shown in a drawing as an example device. Rather, the patent references a "virtual" headset. This virtual headset's movement would move in the same "position and orientation" of the player's character in-game. In effect, it's describing a virtual reality headset.

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The patent itself describes using the haptics built into a given headset to communicate 3D audio cues to the player. More specifically, the patent describes using the haptic sensors in the headset to measure the player's head's relation to audio objects in a video game. With that in mind, a magnitude based on the distance to the audio object, frequency, and audio data based for that specific audio object would then be used to determine control of the haptic feedback of the sensors.

sony 3d audio drawing

To summarize, it's a technology for introducing a feeling of touch to a video game experience, akin to how the PlayStation DualSense controllers introduce a feeling of touch through a player's hands. In an ideal scenario, imagine haptics being able to tease the feeling of wind running through the player's hair when an audio cue might not be appropriate, or movement increasing in intensity as players move toward an important noise.

Sony's announcement of the PS VR2 did not specifically mention haptic sensors being included in the headset, but it basically the same idea without mentioning the word "haptics." As part of the PS VR2's new sensory features, it's mentioned that "Headset Feedback" is included. Headset feedback is described as "amplifying the sensations of in-game actions from the player." It could potentially be used to show the player character's elevated pulse, objects flying past the character's head, or the movement of a vehicle as it speeds forward.

Perhaps the technology described in the new patent will be utilized in the PS VR2 or perhaps Sony's using separate technology for the PS VR2's sensory feature. Either way, it's clear that Sony is exploring ways to further immerse players in video games, expanding sensory input, and enhancing 3D audio and surround sound.

The PS VR2 headset has no currently announced release window.

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