Difference between revisions of "OSVR"

Revision as of 05:12, 21 March 2015

OSVR or Open Source Virtual Reality is an open-source Virtual Reality platform initiated by Razer. Described by Razer CEO Min-Liang Tan as the Android of VR, OSVR is an open-source software platform designed to create standardization and bring Virtual Reality onto different types of hardware. It incorporates various game engines, HMDs and control methods to allow developers to create games and other software for numerous head-mounted displays and VR operating systems. Developers can use OSVR to port and optimize VR applications for individual devices.

Features

Open Source - Open Source Software and Hardware. Software Development Kit is licensed under Apache 2.0. Hardware schematics is available for free. Allows the user to build or modify his or her own device.

Partnership - OSVR has over 50 partners including Unity, Unreal, Intel, Bosch, Razer, Sensics, Unisoft and more.

Standardization - OSVR standardizes the interface between input devices, applications and output devices so that application developers do not need to develop support for particular hardware.

Modular - OSVR allows the user to mix-and-match components to create the best combination of hardware and software, the opposite of one size fits all approach.

Extendable - OSVR can be extended with plugins that are both open and closed source, providing support for new devices or add analysis capabilities such as a gesture engine, sensor fusion and eye tracking.

OSVR Hacker Dev Kit

OSVR is launched with Razer's OSVR Hacker Dev Kit. It is a head-mounted display similar to the Oculus Rift. Unlike other VR HMDs, Hack Dev Kit is modifiable. It is built with modular circuit boards and open-source hardware, allowing for easy customization and replacement when new hardware is released. The schematics for the device is available for free.

History

OSVR was announced in CES 2015 on January 6 - 9, 2015.