Image created using photos courtesy HTC

HTC CEO Yves Maitre Steps Down After Less Than One Year

By
Scott Hayden
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7

With less than one year at the company’s helm, HTC announced that Yves Maitre is stepping down as the company’s President and CEO.

Maitre took over as CEO just shy one year ago in late September 2019. According to Engadget, the French former executive is stepping down due to “personal reasons.”

Cher Wang, who took over as CEO in March 2015 and then later stepped down to make way for Maitre, is said to return to the position of CEO from her previous position as Chairwoman of the board.

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A statement obtained by Engadget maintains that the move is in part due to “the strict international travel restrictions due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.” Maitre is said to have spent most the last 11 months away from his family back in France.

At the time of his appointment, Maitre, a former exec at French telecom Orange, said he would continue to grow the future of both 5G and XR as the company’s leader.

Under his leadership, HTC shipped the Vive Cosmos PC VR headset, which starts at $700 for the inside-out tracked headset + controller combo, and the Vive Cosmos Elite variant, which includes a modular faceplate for inclusion of SteamVR tracking. The company also unveiled a few next-gen prototypes featuring more compact optics, which could bring a decidedly more ‘glasses-style’ format to the company’s VR offerings.

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Scott Hayden
Well before the first modern XR products hit the market, Scott recognized the potential of the technology and set out to understand and document its growth. He has been professionally reporting on the space for nearly a decade as Editor at Road to VR, authoring more than 3,500 articles on the topic. Scott brings that seasoned insight to his reporting from major industry events across the globe.
  • Andrew Jakobs

    I can imagine it, it’s tough to be away from your family for such a long time.. Ahwell, let’s hope HTC will show some new stuff soon, but I doubt it..

  • Charles

    Sounds like the guy retiring was responsible for the Cosmos, while the returning CEO was responsible for the Vive and Vive Pro. I’d say this change is a very positive development.

  • What a pity, he seemed to bring some order inside HTC, giving it a clear direction

  • SKD007

    That is good. Get someone who really cares for the company and make some heigh quality VR headset for PC with reasonable pricing