Qualcomm unveils new Snapdragon XR2+ Gen 2 chipset

January 4, 2024 – Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. has at the moment introduced its new Snapdragon XR2+ Gen 2 Platform, a single chip structure that unlocks 4.3K per eye spatial computing at 90 frames per second, in line with the corporate.

Constructing upon the capabilities of the recently announced Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2, Qualcomm said that the brand new ‘+’ model of its chipset helps to unleash a brand new tier of extra sensible, detailed experiences in combined actuality (MR) and digital actuality (VR) with increased GPU frequency by 15% and CPU frequency by 20% when in comparison with the usual Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 platform.

Qualcomm said that the Snapdragon XR2+ Gen 2 platform helps 12 or extra concurrent cameras with on-device AI, which can imply that units powered by the chipset will be capable to provide options corresponding to full coloration video passthrough performance, depth sensing, and eye, hand, head, face and controller monitoring, all rolled into one product.

“Snapdragon XR2+ Gen 2 unlocks 4.3K decision which can take XR productiveness and leisure to the following stage by bringing spectacularly clear visuals to make use of circumstances corresponding to room-scale screens, life-size overlays and digital desktops,” mentioned Hugo Swart, vp and basic supervisor of XR, Qualcomm Applied sciences, Inc. “We’re advancing our dedication to energy the perfect XR units and experiences that may supercharge our immersive future.”

Additionally commenting on the announcement had been representatives from Samsung Electronics and Google. It was unveiled at Samsung’s Galaxy Unpacked occasion in February final 12 months that Qualcomm, Samsung and Google could be teaming as much as construct a mixed-reality platform, with Samsung mentioned to be engaged on the {hardware}, Google dealing with the software program, and Qualcomm after all offering the chipset.

“Samsung is thrilled to collaborate with Qualcomm Applied sciences and Google in revolutionizing the cellular trade as soon as extra.” Inkang Tune, vp and head of expertise technique workforce at Samsung Electronics, expressed his pleasure, “With Samsung’s cellular experience and our joint dedication, we purpose to create the best-in-class XR expertise for Galaxy customers.”

“We look ahead to persevering with our collaboration with Qualcomm Applied sciences and Samsung on the way forward for immersive and spatial XR,” mentioned Shahram Izadi, vp of AR at Google. “We’re excited for the Android ecosystem to reap the benefits of Snapdragon XR2+ Gen 2’s capabilities and allow new experiences.”

New MR & VR reference design

Along with the XR2+ Gen 2 announcement, Qualcomm additionally unveiled a brand new MR & VR reference design to assist speed up time to marketplace for OEMs. The brand new reference design was developed by Goertek and options eye monitoring expertise from Tobii. It additionally helps each 3K per eye (Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2) and 4K per eye (Snapdragon XR2+ Gen 2) configurations.  

In a press name highlighting the XR2+ Gen 2, Stated Bakadir, Qualcomm’s Senior Director of Product Administration went into extra element on the brand new platform, explaining that it’s greater than able to dealing with superior XR options corresponding to tremendous decision, foveated rendering and area warp.

As XR units grow to be more and more advanced and able to rendering superior graphics, environment friendly energy utilization turns into essential, notably for units with high-resolution shows that includes extra pixels. Superior on-device options corresponding to foveated rendering play a major position in conserving energy and decreasing the computational load. When coupled with different options corresponding to eye monitoring, foveated rendering turns into much more environment friendly, because it exactly renders in excessive decision solely the pixels the place the person’s gaze is targeted, whereas lessening the element in peripheral areas. The XR2+ Gen 2 platform is seemingly extra geared in direction of dealing with these types of options than its predecessors.

Bakadir additionally famous that to this point 5 OEMs are at present creating options that make the most of the XR2+ Gen 2. Corporations already designing their subsequent era {hardware} primarily based on the platform apparently embrace Samsung, HTC Vive, Immersed, and Play for Dream (previously YVR). A fifth OEM will reportedly unveil their new product on January 8 at CES.

For extra data on Qualcomm Applied sciences and its XR2+ Gen 2 platform, please go to the corporate’s website.

Picture credit score: Qualcomm Applied sciences, Inc.