Meta, a virtual reality (VR) company, has recently unveiled their advanced ‘Mirror Lake’ prototype, suggesting that it may now be possible to build. The company showcased a rendering of the headset being worn during a presentation by Meta’s Director of Display Systems Research at The University of Arizona College of Optical Sciences.
Mirror Lake is a concept that highlights cutting-edge visual technologies in a compact design. Meta’s CEO, Mark Zuckerberg, hinted that consumers may be able to experience these technologies in products within the next few years.
One of the key features of the Mirror Lake concept is the use of electronic varifocal lenses. These lenses enable users to focus at different distances, providing a more immersive VR experience. In contrast to previous prototypes, such as Half Dome, which used mechanical methods for adjusting focus, Mirror Lake utilizes electronic varifocal lenses to overcome reliability issues.
Holocake lenses, thin and flat holographic lenses that fold the optical path, are employed in the Mirror Lake concept. Through the use of these lenses, Meta has already developed a working prototype called Holocake 2, which they claim is the thinnest and lightest VR headset they have created so far.
However, the implementation of Holocake lenses poses a challenge as they require specialized lasers as the light source. Currently, Meta admits that lasers at the required performance, size, and price point for consumer products are not yet available.
Moreover, Meta’s Mirror Lake concept also incorporates reverse passthrough technology, similar to Apple’s Vision Pro. This feature allows others in the same room to see a rendered view of the user’s upper face, enhancing social interactions in immersive VR experiences.
It is important to note that while the Mirror Lake concept is not being marketed as a specific future product, Meta claims to have successfully integrated these advanced technologies into a small form factor. This suggests that future VR headsets from Meta may offer more immersive experiences in a compact design.
As the VR industry continues to evolve, Meta’s Mirror Lake prototype provides a glimpse into the promising advancements that may shape the future of VR technology. With the incorporation of electronic varifocal lenses, Holocake lenses, and reverse passthrough technology, Meta aims to revolutionize the VR experience and bring it closer to mainstream adoption.
“Social media scholar. Reader. Zombieaholic. Hardcore music maven. Web fanatic. Coffee practitioner. Explorer.”