VR Hardware Market: November update

With the Virtual Reality market gathering speed at an increasing rate, we’ve decided to update our Hardware Radar on a monthly basis. The Radar plots companies developing a range of different hardware peripherals and equipment into one of the following categories:

• HMD – Integrated: A virtual reality head-mounted display with the screen integrated into the unit. This segment (obviously) includes Oculus VR, as well as companies such as VRelia, Gameface Labs, Avegant, Sony and ANTVR.

• HMD – With Mobile Device: A virtual reality head-mounted display using a third-party mobile device as the screen. Companies in this segment include Durovis, Seebright,Altergaze, Vrizzmo and Samsung.

• Controller – Hand Device / Glove / Body Unit: An input device using hands and/or body movement for tracking via sensors. PrioVR, STEM, Control VR and Leap Motion are all included in this element of the market.

• Controller – Treadmill  / Foot Control:  An input device that tracks leg/foot movements. In this category we include Virtuix Omni, InfinAdeck, the Cyberith Virtualizer and Stompz.

• Controller – Haptics:  An input device for hands and body that also provides tactile feedback by force or vibration. The KOR-FX Gaming Vest, iMotion and the Reactive Grip are three of the products included here.

• 3D Camera: A video or image recording device that captures 3D stereoscopic views. Jaunt, Giroptic and Matterport are within this grouping.

• End-to-End Platform: A company that provides HMD systems coupled with input devices and motion capture. This category brings together companies that are creating VR experiences encompassing HMDs, input devices, games and other elements. Survios and  VRCade  are two examples.

• Misc: Products not fitting into other categories (obviously).

We assign companies according to their launch stage as they bring their products to market. And, as mentioned earlier, due to the speed of this market we’re now updating this tracking on a monthly basis. Launch stages are classified as follows:

• Announced / Pending Funding: A prototype has been announced but the company/inventor has not yet secured funding.

• In Development: A prototype has been publicly demonstrated and/or the company has funding (privately, via Kickstarter or from third-party funding including VC’s).

• Pre-Order / Dev Kit Available: The product is in a stage of development beyond a prototype, has made limited versions available to developers and/or is taking pre-orders.

• Consumer Version Available: The product is available for purchase by the general public.

Shown below is the Radar segment for head-mounted displays (HMDs). There are now several HMDs available for mobile devices, including Durovis Dive, Google Cardboard and Homido. Anticipated launches in the very near future include the Samsung Gear VR and the Carl Zeiss VR One.

Here’s the whole Radar chart with all eight segments.

An accompanying visual specifically for the HMD segment is the ‘Face Race’. This takes a slightly different view on the market, looking at both augmented and virtual reality manufacturers along with our estimate on actual consumer launch windows. Here’s the Face Race for November 2014, including Apple, which has recently entered the race.

The full report covering the VR hardware marketplace can be ordered here.

Further information: