At Computex 2017, Intel’s Gregory Bryant demonstrated the company’s wireless VR solution on stage. He claimed this was the first public showing of the HTC Vive using Intel’s WiGig technology, and further confirms that HTC is bringing the product to market in “early 2018.”

Intel’s wireless VR solution, which was also shown at E3, uses DisplayLink’s DL-8020 chipset and the DisplayLink XR codec. Ben Lang went hand’s on with DisplayLink’s own reference design, which is very similar to Intel’s solution, using the same DisplayLink technology, and came away impressed by its quality and unnoticeable latency. This was also demonstrated using an HTC Vive, although the reference design could be configured for other headsets, DisplayLink says.

DisplayLink XR wireless adapter | Photo by Road to VR

While the Intel wireless VR device presently takes the form of an add-on peripheral, it isn’t clear if the product that Bryant says Intel and HTC will bring to market in early 2018 will take the form as an add-on to existing Vive headsets, or as a technology integrated directly into a new headset. Given the timeline, the former seems the most likely, especially given the latest comments from HTC on when we might see a ‘Vive 2’.

The first high-end, wireless VR solutions are almost here. The TPCAST solution, which experienced some delays, has begun shipping in China, and is expected to ship internationally in Q3 2017, pending FCC approval. But HTC’s direct involvement in bringing Intel’s solution to market will likely mark the first step towards headset manufacturers offering wireless products ready for the demands of the second generation of headsets; the DisplayLink technology is capable of delivering dual 4K signals at 120Hz.

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The trial version of Microsoft’s Monster Truck Madness probably had something to do with it. And certainly the original Super Mario Kart and Gran Turismo. A car nut from an early age, Dominic was always drawn to racing games above all other genres. Now a seasoned driving simulation enthusiast, and former editor of Sim Racer magazine, Dominic has followed virtual reality developments with keen interest, as cockpit-based simulation is a perfect match for the technology. Conditions could hardly be more ideal, a scientist once said. Writing about simulators lead him to Road to VR, whose broad coverage of the industry revealed the bigger picture and limitless potential of the medium. Passionate about technology and a lifelong PC gamer, Dominic suffers from the ‘tweak for days’ PC gaming condition, where he plays the same section over and over at every possible combination of visual settings to find the right balance between fidelity and performance. Based within The Fens of Lincolnshire (it’s very flat), Dominic can sometimes be found marvelling at the real world’s ‘draw distance’, wishing virtual technologies would catch up.
  • Matias Brunacci

    What about the weight? Looks quite heavy.

    • zambutu

      I’d be surprised if it was heavy, but I’d rather a belt mount

    • Gordon Westbroek

      The hands on with the DisplayLink reference design according to those who tried it found the unit to be very light,despite its physical profile.

    • Maybe some RF thing is going on, WiGig cannot go through obstacles, like light, so they have to have few antennas. But you can merge antennas with HMD, so there’s no problem. Sorry for my English.

    • Rémi Allard

      It will probably lose some until then, just like the new batch of htc vives.

  • Ted Joseph

    Resolution is good, but what about FOV??? Having more resolution with the “blinders” on is not preferred in my opinion…

    • Duane Locsin

      I agree, and hopefully that will be the next major emphasis on evolving the VR technology.

      getting rid of the cable is a huge step in keeping the immersion/presence, another is the visuals itself and really be engulfed in the virtual world.

      The next step (no pun intended) is a physical locomotion solution, room tracking is great and all, but having the ability to walk ‘naturally’ around the vr world would break the ‘virtual’ barrier and I am hoping Cyberith and Virtual Omni can refine their ‘treadmills’

  • Mr. New Vegas

    Not sure that I want such powerful wireless device on my head.
    And moving it down to your belt is also unhealthy to your reproductive system.