Technology Deep Dive: HTC Vive Focus Vision Unveiled

This September 18 HTC Vive introduced its new Vision Focus headset.

Next, the disclaimers. The author has not worn the new headset and gained insights from viewing a virtual company presentation that unveiled the new product. While the Vive Vision Focus is a “new” product it is a refresh of its younger sibling – Vive Focus 3. The technical attributes of the new Focus Vision and the headset’s applicability to training enterprises across Halldale Group’s editorial program and events, warrant a brief summary of this hardware piece. This event is another data point in the rapid, continued XR sector’s evolution. Extracts of the presentation follow below.

High-Fidelity Display

Thomas Dexmier, HTC Vive’s AVP of Business Development & Enterprise Solutions, noted one use case for the Focus Vision was immersive training, and used the example of safety critical training for firefighting. He explained, “firefighters can wear all of their firefighting gear and use a natural hose, with forced feedback, perfectly modeled and tracked in VR. They are wearing a haptic vest that heats up as they get closer to the virtual fire.” As for returns on investment from this headset, Dexmier continued, “All of this increases awareness and ‘muscle memory,’ increases knowledge retention and boosts confidence to perform the riskiest task. When they go to real-world training, they are better prepared getting the most out of it even in the most dangerous situation.”

In terms of hardware attributes, Focus Vision has a 5K (4896 x 2448 (pixels per eye)) resolution, placing it between the 6K (5760 x 2720) rating of the Varjo VR-3/XR3 and the 4K ratings of Meta Quest 3 (4128 x 2208) and Pico 4 Ultra (4320 x 2160). Focus Vision’s 5K resolution is enabled with a 90Hz refresh rate, real RGB subpixels and a 120(deg) field-of-view. Focus Vision’s high visual fidelity ratings are enabled by Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2 (Gen 2) single-chip architecture. The Focus Vision’s price tag of $(US)999 makes this headset very competitive for enterprise training when compared to other more capable and more expensive offerings. An extra dose of high-fidelity visuals will be added to this new headset later this year when support for a 120Hz refresh rate will be available.

Other Attributes

Fabian Nappenbach, HTC Vive’s Director Product Marketing for EMEA, further pointed out several other Focus Vision attributes, some of which include: being hygienic and easy to maintain; and having “superb” balance and comfort – all permitting the wearer to participate in events of long-term duration, “beyond 20-minute sessions – to hours.”

Napppenbach emphasized HTC Vive’s expanding business model for Focus Vision includes enabling: mixed reality; cooperative XR; remote collaboration and advanced tracking. While Dexmier earlier cited support for firefighting training, his counterpart noted the ability of law enforcement, military, medical and myriad other sectors to use Focus Vision for simulation and training.

HTC Vive’s Focus Vision is available for pre-order.

The entire webinar announcing the new headset is available here.