MWC2017: VR program cuts engineering costs

The Qualcomm Technologies HMD Accelerator Program is a catalyst for hardware manufacturers focused on creating a virtual reality HMD of their own. Manufacturers will have access to reference design products and choose from a pre-qualified set of components. They have the choice of either building their own HMDs from reference design materials provided, or working with a trained, turnkey original design manufacturer (ODM) like Goertek or Thundercomm to modify and the Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 VR HMD to suit the manufacturer’s commercial needs.

VR tracking software from technology leaders like Leap Motion and SMI has also been pre-optimised on the Snapdragon 835 VR HMD to accelerate time to development.

Furthermore, the program includes pre-defined quality metrics and methods of testing, accessories and more, to help manufacturers develop and deploy mobile VR HMDs that deliver the most immersive user experiences possible with Snapdragon 835.

The HMD Accelerator program follows the initial success of the Snapdragon 820 VR HMD reference design announced last September.

Since that time, four ODMs have signed on with commercial designs; an additional five products have launched; and more are expected to launch later this year.

As part of the HMD Accelerator Program, Qualcomm Technologies is making available a new HMD reference design, the Snapdragon 835 VR HMD. GoerTek and Thundercomm are ODMs ready to engage on new OEM designs following the Snapdragon 835 VR HMD, and are working with global manufacturers for commercial designs.