Lynx has released an early 2022 update for its Lynx R1 headset, which is being billed as the first commercial AR video headset. What has been going on since the company launched its Kickstarter and where is the project at now?

The Lynx R1 is a standalone headset with virtual reality and augmented reality capabilities. In Augmented Reality mode, the environment is captured by built-in cameras and displayed as a video on screens, where it can be further enriched with digital elements. The company calls its device an AR + VR headset.

This type of “video-based” augmented reality offers several advantages over conventional augmented reality headsets and goggles that are built with transparent optics such as Magic Leap, Nreal Light, and HoloLens. For example, it provides a wider field of view and opaque display of digital items.

Corresponding devices are also easier and cheaper to produce, as they take advantage of proven Virtual Reality technology. Meta is also set to release similar AR devices later in the year, dubbed Project Cambria. Google, Apple and Microsoft are also rumored to be working on similar devices. However, Paris-based startup Lynx may be the first company to release this kind of AR hardware.

In its February 1 update on Kickstarter, the company said it is “500% focused” on launching production of the device to meet the deadlines. In other words, their production so far is going according to plan.

The Lynx R1 Kickstarter campaign ended at the end of November. More than 1,200 backers contributed more than $820,000 to the project, doubling the campaign’s funding goal. The devices will be delivered in April 2022.

In his early February update, Lynx boss Stan Larroque reveals that the startup will visit the manufacturer at the end of the month or in March to kick-start production.

Because the $800,000 Kickstarter funds cannot cover the company’s full production costs, Lynx will begin a new round of fundraising that will end this month. The fundraising page is still open so you can participate in the company’s latest round of funding.

The new fundraising will be used to open many new positions in software and hardware development.

Larroque says that the first version of the SDK will be released at the end of March and that it will have support for OpenXR. The operating system will also change to Android S. It will also have support for Unreal Engine and Godot through OpenXR. Because this will be an open source SDK, it might support other engines as well.

The startup says the ongoing chip shortage won’t affect it, as it placed its order before these bottlenecks became the order of the day.

VR controllers could be delayed

The software development kit (SDK) will be released in late March and will support the industry standard OpenXR, which should make it easier to transfer VR content to the Lynx R1 AR VR headset.

The main input method is through optical hand tracking and Ultraleap provides the associated algorithms. Lynx has already shown how well hand and finger tracking works.

Lynx partnered with third-party manufacturer Finch to produce separately sold VR controllers. The startup is still making some hardware changes and the delivery could be delayed.

Market launch in June 2022

Lynx R1 content will be distributed via Side Quest, details of which will follow later. The startup also promises support for Nvidia’s CloudXR streaming, swappable batteries, and unlimited tracking range, though it advises against using the Lynx R1 AR-VR headset outdoors.

Kickstarter backers of the Lynx R1 will be the first to receive the service. Regular customers will follow later and Lynx has provided a June shipping window for the rest of the buyers. On its official store, the standard edition of the Lynx R-1 headset is $599 and the Enterprise edition is $1,099. Kickstarter units will be much cheaper.

Please refer to the following YouTube video for additional details on the status of the headset.

https://virtualrealitytimes.com/2022/02/13/lynx-r1-arvr-headset-latest-update/https://virtualrealitytimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Lynx-R1-AR-VR-Headset-600×336.pnghttps://virtualrealitytimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Lynx-R1-AR-VR-Headset-150×90.png2022-02-13T18:06:28+00:00sam ochanjiBusinessKick starterOpeningLynx has released an early 2022 update for its Lynx R1 headset, which is being billed as the first commercial AR video headset. What has been going on since the company launched its Kickstarter and where is the project at now? The Lynx R1 is a standalone VR headset…sam ochanjiSam

Ochanjisochanji@yahoo.comAdministratorVirtual Reality Times