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The Sulon Q is a computer-in-a-headset powered by AMD hardware

By Koh Wanzi - on 15 Mar 2016, 4:34pm

The Sulon Q is a computer-in-a-headset powered by AMD hardware

The Sulon Q features an AMD FX-8800P processor and Radeon R7 graphics.

AMD’s Capsaicin event at GDC 2016 was dominated by a slew of VR-related announcements, and the company also took the opportunity to announce its tie-up with Toronto-based startup Sulon Technologies. The Sulon Q virtual reality headset aims to provide a tether-free, VR and augmented reality experience, and it will be powered by AMD hardware.

As far as VR headsets go, the Sulon Q is in something of a league of its own. For one, it is self-sufficient, which means you don’t need to hook it up to a PC to get it working. That’s largely because the headset comes with all the processing hardware built-in, including an AMD FX-8800P processor, Radeon R7 graphics with four compute cores and eight GPU cores, and 8GB of DDR3L RAM.

On top of that, the headset features a 2,560 x 1,440-pixel OLED display and a viewing angle of 110°.

But the most unique aspect of it is probably the use of a dedicated spatial processing unit that’s able to provide real-time spatial awareness and allow the headset to overlay AR objects onto the real world. It also includes AstoundSound Technology for spatial audio processing and a pair of earbuds that Sulon says is spatially-optimized.

The Sulon Q is really a PC that you can strap onto your face.

Two cameras at the front provide support for gesture recognition, while working in tandem with the spatial processing unit to map the environment on-the-fly. The cameras also enable head tracking without the need for external devices or sensors.

In a demonstration on stage, AMD showcased a recording of the sort of experiences that the Sulon Q can provide. The video below hasn't undergone any post-processing edits at all, and is an example of an augmented reality experience on the Sulon Q.

In fact, the Sulon Q is almost like a Windows 10 PC that you can strap to your head. It even comes with its own 256GB SSD and will run Windows 10. What’s more, it will ship with its own wireless keyboard and mouse, and will work with any Windows 10-compatible controller or joystick.

At this rate however, we expect the headset to be heavier than alternatives that rely on external PC hardware to do the heavy lifting, and it remains to be seen what this will mean for user comfort. But whatever the outcome, the Sulon Q signals AMD’s commitment to make a serious play in VR, and its search for an edge over NVIDIA in a nascent field where almost nothing has been set in stone.

Sulon and AMD have placed a launch date some time in late spring, but there’s no word on pricing yet.

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