Sony designed the PS4 console, controller for VR from the start

The PlayStation 4 video game console from Sony Computer Entertainment was developed with virtual reality (VR) helmets from the start. Apparently, the light bar of the DualShock 4 controller was integrated into the device with a sole purpose: to include a tracking technology for VR video games.

The up-to-date prototype of the project Morpheus VR headset looks rather promising, it features a 5” panel with 1920*1080 (960*1080 per eye) resolution and 90-degrees field of view. The VR head-gear is equipped with accelerometer and gyroscope sensors to provide smooth experience and even sports three-dimensional audio. One missing piece of the Morpheus is a technology to track positions of hands/body during gameplay. Apparently, the light bar in every DualShock 4 controller accompanied by a PlayStation camera can provide this functionality.

“The tracking light… it was our department that said we need that on,” said Jed Ashforth, senior designer at Sony Computer Entertainment Europe, said in an interview with TechRadar. “It was for tracking for VR.

As it appears, Sony had virtual reality in mind well before unveiling the PlayStation 4 console, which possibly means that the system contains other technology aimed at the VR gaming and VR equipment.

“When all these things were coming out six months ago and everyone was going ‘it's reflecting in my TV,' we were going ‘oh no' because we couldn't tell anyone what it was for,” said Mr. Ashforth.

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KitGuru Says: It is interesting to note that Microsoft’s Kinect 2 motion sensor is even better way to track motions in the virtual reality. However, it requires a lot of processing resources, which means that lower amount of compute horsepower will remain for actual games and virtual worlds…

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