Some patent documents indicate that Sony might be developing augmented reality glasses that could rely on the processing power of the PlayStation 5. While there's no certainty that Sony will release these AR glasses, they have already thought of some exciting potential uses for them.
Sony has been involved in virtual reality gaming since 2016 with the launch of the PS VR, but they have not ventured into the augmented reality realm yet. However, recent years have shown an increase in Sony's patent filings related to AR technology, hinting that they may be moving closer to bringing such innovations to the market.
Sony's PS5-Compatible AR Glasses Concept
The latest evidence of this trend is a newly secured Sony patent. The patent describes a pair of AR glasses that are compatible with the PS5. These glasses would allow users to transform physical objects into mixed reality playgrounds. The accompanying documentation, as reviewed by Game Rant, explains that users can curl a piece of paper. The glasses then 3D-map the paper and turn it into a dirt bike racetrack. The patent also mentions creating platforming levels from folded paper. According to the patent, the technology can even combine multiple substrates to create virtual playgrounds.
Sony Augmented Reality System Patent Drawing 1 - Sony's PS5-Compatible AR Glasses Concept
In mid-2023, Sony patented AR headset applications that are quite different from what we typically see. Instead of being solely focused on gaming, these AR glasses were designed as an immersive screen extension. The technology would rely on an external system, such as the PS5 and DualSense, to handle the actual gameplay processing. Sony also mentioned that the glasses could potentially work with other third-party hardware. By offloading most processing tasks to a console or PC, Sony aimed to potentially reduce production costs if they decided to bring this gadget to life.
The company first applied for this patent in August 2022, and it was officially granted in late February. This shows that the company is continuing to show interest in augmented reality technology. In addition to the technology itself, Sony is also exploring the content side of AR gaming, as seen in their history of filing for intellectual property related to AR game concepts.
It is uncertain whether Sony will move forward with commercializing this technology. The sales of the PlayStation VR2 have not been strong, similar to its predecessor. This may cause Sony to hesitate before investing resources into a newer field like AR gaming.
Editor's P/S:
The prospect of Sony developing augmented reality glasses compatible with the PlayStation 5 is an exciting one for gamers and tech enthusiasts alike. The concept of transforming physical objects into mixed reality playgrounds opens up endless possibilities for immersive gaming experiences. However, it remains to be seen whether Sony will actually bring this technology to market, given the lackluster sales of the PlayStation VR2.
Despite the uncertainty, Sony's continued interest in augmented reality is evident in its recent patent filings. The company's focus on offloading processing tasks to an external system like the PS5 is a clever way to potentially reduce production costs. If Sony can successfully tackle the challenges associated with AR gaming, it could potentially gain a significant advantage in the emerging market for wearable technology.
